Regionalism: Hettne & Murillo's Perspectives
Regionalism, as theorized by Hettne and Murillo, involves understanding how regions form and interact within the global system. Murillo emphasizes regions as social constructs driven by identity and common interests, while Hettne views regionalism as a political project influenced by global dynamics, highlighting concepts like "regionness" and "actorness" in shaping international relations.
Key Takeaways
Murillo defines regions as social constructs with shared identity.
Hettne sees regionalism as a dynamic political project.
Old regionalism focused on economic integration, new is multidimensional.
Actors in regionalism range from states to civil society.
Regionalism is a response to and part of globalization.
What defines the concept of a region according to Murillo and Hettne?
Murillo defines a region as a social construct, emphasizing interaction within a delimited space and the formation of collective identity, distinguishing physical from functional regions. Hettne also views regions as social constructs, rejecting 'natural' ones, shaped by perception and political interests. He introduces "regionness" to describe a region's cohesion, identity, and capacity for action. Both highlight the subjective nature of regional boundaries.
- Murillo: Social construct; Interaction in delimited space; Physical vs. functional regions; Regional identity; Four levels of analysis.
- Hettne: Rejects 'natural' regions; Social construct (perception/political interests); Regionness (cohesion/identity/action); Five levels of regionness.
How do Murillo and Hettne characterize the process of regionalism?
Murillo characterizes regionalism as a political and intellectual trend driven by common identities and regional consciousness, fostering "imagined communities" and integration. This process can strengthen or fragment the international system. Hettne views regionalism as an ongoing political project led by diverse actors. He differentiates regionalism (political commitment) from regionalization (social/economic processes) and region-building (deliberate political community creation), emphasizing its active nature.
- Murillo: Political/intellectual trend; Common identities/consciousness; Imagined communities/integration; Strengthening or fragmentation.
- Hettne: Political project; Led by states/organizations/businesses/civil society; Distinguishes regionalism, regionalization, region-building.
What distinguishes old regionalism from new regionalism in theory?
Old regionalism (Cold War era) primarily focused on economic integration, trade, and import substitution, as Murillo notes. Hettne adds its European focus, federalism, and neofunctionalism for peace and economy. New regionalism (post-Cold War) is multidimensional, involving state and non-state actors, responding to globalization. Hettne describes it as operating in a multipolar, globalized context, encompassing trade, security, environment, and development across multiple levels.
- Murillo's Old: Cold War; Economic integration (CEPAL), trade, import substitution.
- Murillo's New: Post-Cold War; Multidimensional; State/non-state actors; Response to globalization.
- Hettne's Old: 1950s-70s; European focus; Federalism/functionalism/neofunctionalism; Peace/economy.
- Hettne's New: 1980s-2000s; Multipolar/globalized; Multidimensional (trade/security/environment/development); Multi-actor/multi-level.
What factors explain the emergence and development of regionalism?
Regionalism's emergence is influenced by internal and external factors. Murillo highlights regional identity, shaped by shared history, culture, and common interests, citing Central America as an example. Hettne categorizes these as endogenous (regionness, political will, shared identity) and exogenous (globalization, interregionalism, pressure from international organizations). He views regionalism as both a response to and part of globalization, illustrating Polanyi's "double movement."
- Murillo: Regional identity (history/culture/religion/interests); Central America example; Region as social laboratory.
- Hettne's Endogenous: Regionness, political will, shared identity.
- Hettne's Exogenous: Globalization, interregionalism, pressure from powers/IOs.
- Hettne: Regionalism as response to/part of globalization (Polanyi's Double Movement).
Who are the key actors involved in regionalism processes?
Actors in regionalism have diversified. Murillo primarily identifies states and regional organizations. Hettne offers a broader perspective, including states and regional organizations (e.g., EU, Mercosur), but also emphasizes non-state actors like transnational corporations, civil society, and NGOs. He recognizes external actors such as global powers and international financial institutions, alongside the concept of the region itself developing "actorness."
- Murillo: Primarily states/regional organizations.
- Hettne: States; Regional organizations (EU/Mercosur/ASEAN); Transnational corporations/markets; Civil society/NGOs; External actors (powers/IMF/WB/EU); Region as actor.
What are the various dimensions through which regionalism manifests?
Regionalism manifests across multiple dimensions beyond economics. Murillo identifies economic (trade), political (cooperation), social (identity), and cultural (values) aspects. Hettne expands this to include monetary (financial stability), security (conflict resolution), development (joint strategies), and environmental/social dimensions (public goods cooperation). This multidimensionality underscores the comprehensive nature of contemporary regional integration efforts, reflecting a holistic approach.
- Murillo: Economic (trade/interdependence); Political (cooperation/institutional); Social (identity/culture/cohesion); Cultural (values/religion/history).
- Hettne: Economic (trade/market); Monetary (financial stability); Security (conflict resolution/communities); Development (strategies/resources/infrastructure); Environmental/Social (public goods).
What is the core synthesis of Murillo's and Hettne's regionalism theories?
Murillo's theory offers a conceptual focus, emphasizing the region as a social construct driven by shared identity and internal dynamics. Hettne presents a dynamic, global vision, introducing "regionness" and "actorness" to explain how regions develop cohesion and agency within the international system. He highlights regional processes' crucial interaction with globalization. Together, they illuminate both endogenous and exogenous forces shaping regionalism.
- Murillo: Conceptual/theoretical focus; Emphasis on social construct/identity.
- Hettne: Dynamic/global vision; Regionness/actorness; Interaction with globalization/world order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference in how Murillo and Hettne define a region?
Murillo sees a region as a social construct based on interaction and identity. Hettne also views it as a social construct but emphasizes political interests and the concept of "regionness," rejecting 'natural' regions.
How does "old regionalism" differ from "new regionalism"?
Old regionalism, pre-1980s, focused on economic integration and trade. New regionalism, post-Cold War, is multidimensional, involves diverse actors, and responds to globalization, encompassing security and social aspects.
What are the key factors driving regionalism?
Key factors include internal regional identity, shared interests, and political will (endogenous). External factors like globalization, interregionalism, and pressure from international powers also significantly influence regional development.
Who are the primary actors in regionalism according to these theories?
Murillo focuses on states and regional organizations. Hettne expands this to include transnational corporations, civil society, and external actors like global powers and international financial institutions, recognizing the region itself as an actor.
What are the main dimensions of regionalism discussed by Hettne and Murillo?
Both discuss economic and political dimensions. Murillo adds social and cultural. Hettne includes monetary, security, development, and environmental/social aspects, highlighting the comprehensive nature of regional integration.
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