Regional Formations and Global Governance of Social Policy

Van Langenhove, Luk and Macovei, Maria-Cristina, (2010). Regional Formations and Global Governance of Social Policy. IUP Journal of International Relations, IV(2-Jan), 30-50

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  • Author Van Langenhove, Luk
    Macovei, Maria-Cristina
    Title Regional Formations and Global Governance of Social Policy
    Appearing in IUP Journal of International Relations
    Volume IV
    Issue No. 2-Jan
    Publication Date 2010
    Place of Publication India
    Publisher IUP
    Start page 30
    End page 50
    Language EN
    Abstract

    It can be argued that we are witnessing the transition from a single world of states to a multiple world of states and regions. Important actors in this new world order are the world regional organizations and regional arrangements between states that have resulted from regional integration processes. This paper explores how governance has evolved from an essentially stateled preoccupation into a complex phenomenon that involves many other actors and that is characterized by interlinkages between different (geographical) levels of policymaking. This paper discusses three main varieties of regional integration that currently exist. First, there is the regional integration by removing economic obstacles, a process that has resulted in a multitude of regional trade arrangements across the world. Secondly, there is the regional integration by building institutions and regulations that often go beyond economic and trade policies and that can be described as a 'pooling' of sovereignty at a transnational level. Thirdly, there is regional integration by building a geopolitical identity and actorness. Here the 'world region' behaves as an actor at the global scene, both through its own 'foreign' policy and through its presence in global institutions. And at last this paper begins the exploration of the consequences of these varieties of regionalism for social policy. It will be argued that regionalism aimed at only creating free trade areas can put severe pressures on existing national social policies of the countries involved. On the other hand the development of a broader and deeper form of regionalism (often referred to as 'new regionalism') can act as a driver towards regional social policies. Moreover, in those rare cases where regionalism involves global actorness, the regional external policy can contribute to the development of global social policies as well.

    Copyright Holder IUP
    Copyright Year 2010
    Copyright type All Rights Reserved
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    Created: Fri, 15 Feb 2019, 13:43:29 JST