B.

S T R U C T U R E S OF GLOBALIZATION

ASIAN REGIONALISM
This section investigates the mechanism of how Asian region integrates and how nation
states approach the challenges of world homogenization and division.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, the learners are expected to:
1. Differentiate between regionalization and globalization;
2. Identify the factors that lead to a greater integration of Asian regions; and
3. Analyze how different Asian states confront the challenges of globalization and
regionalization through regionalism.

DIAGNOSTICS:
Instructions: Write AGREE if you think the statement is correct; otherwise, DISAGREE.
_________ 1. Russia is a part of Asia.
_________ 2. Lebanon is in Asia.
_________ 3. East Timor is the youngest state in Asia.
_________ 4. The term Asia was coined by Asians themselves.
_________ 5. Japan colonized some parts of Asia.

Among all
the continents, Asia
has the biggest
population of at least
two thirds of the

with China being a

home of more than
1.4 billion people
based on the 2018
population projection
of the United Nations
which makes it
country as one of the
economic super © [Link]
giants of the world.
Asia is most probably
one of the biggest
because the continent
comprises one third

mass. In terms of economy, emerging and developing Asian countries and the Associations of
Southeast Asian Nations 5 or the ASEAN 5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and
Thailand) had
an average of 6.3% and 5.1% GDP growth, respectively, compared to the world average growth

valued at $1.99 trillion, followed by the United States with $1.45 trillion (Dillinger, 2018).

Since the European Union is in its mature state of regionalism, the world is now focused
on Asia. Most countries want to have collaborations with East Asian countries and the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members because economic and political growths in these
regions have started to shape up. As a result, the United States strategically takes care of its allies
in Asia to maintain and further enhance its supply of raw materials, human technological skills,
and even its military force. At the same time, Europe keeps its strong relationship with Asian

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countries to expand its growing business in the field of medical science and research. It cannot be
denied that Asia is gaining worldwide attention.

In this light, globalization, regionalization, and regionalism are compared. Also, exposures
to the different factors that bring about better homogenization of Asia and how member states
collectively and separately address the challenges they are facing are discussed.

The terms regionalization and globalization are both related to integration. However, while
globalization refers to the expansion and intensification of social relations and consciousness
across world time and world space; regionalization
societal integration within a region and to the often undirected process of social and economic

world while regionalization happens only in a specific geographical region. Social and economic
reciprocal actions of regionalization are undirected because of diversity which comes in different
levels of development (from the rich Singapore to the poor Laos), politics (from democracy to
dictatorship and everything in between), economics (from free markets to capitalism and more),
and religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and more) (Richter & West, 2014).

Another concept commonly confused with regionalization is regionalism. Regionalism

refers to regional concentration of economic flows and also pertains to the process of
intergovernmental collaborations between two or more states (Eliassen & Arnadottir, 2012), while
regionalization refers to a political process by economic policy if cooperation and coordination are
present among countries (Mansfiled & Wilmer,1993).

Asian regionalism is a new concept among the continental communities. New to

cooperation and collaboration goals, it has the 50 year old ASEAN group and the failed East
Asia Economic Group (EAEG). The ASEAN community is comprised of three pillars political
security community, economic community, and socio cultural community.

The political security community gives importance to human rights, drugs, foreign
relations, defense, law, and transnational crimes. The association adheres to significant roles of
monitoring economic ministers, finance ministers, central bank governors, free trade area,
investment area, agriculture and forestry, transport ministers, telecommunications and information
technology ministers, science and technology, energy, minerals, tourism, free trade agreements
with dialogue partners, and sectoral bodies in the arena of economic community. In the socio
cultural community, there is an avenue for cooperation among the ministers responsible for culture
and arts, sports, disaster management, education, environment, health, information, labor, rural
development and poverty eradication, women, youth, and civil service matters.

ASEAN has also partnered with three East Asian countries China, Japan, and South
Korea. It is called the ASEAN +3. Its goal is to address the 1997 Asian financial crisis and help
each other cope with the crisis. In this context, ASEAN has concretized regionalism in the Asian
region.

Similar, to the goal of ASEAN in achieving greater integration within the region, other
countries form groups for various reasons. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
a free trade pact between Canada, United States and Mexico was created to help reduce trading
costs, increase business investment, and help North America to be more competitive in the global
marketplace (NAFTA, 2018). The European Union (EU) was established to ensure free movement

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Moreover, there are some aspects that led to a greater Asian integration.
First, integration has been market driven. Within Asia, there are a variety of systems,
institutions, procedures, social relations, and infrastructures that are put into place for
countries to engage in exchange.
Second, formal institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were established.
The ADB which was conceived in the 1960s, is composed of 67 members, 48 of which are
from the Asia Pacific region. It promotes social and economic development and serves
as a financial institution that aids its members and partners by providing loans, technical
assistance, grants, and equity investments. Initially, ADB focused its assistance on food
production and rural development to serve a predominantly agricultural region.
Third, economic grants and overseas development assistance are made available by better
Asian economies.
Fourth, production networks have expanded. Economies are mainly on comparative
advantage through the regional division of labor.
Fifth, cooperation among the ASEAN and East Asian countries ensued the ASEAN +3
the Chiang Mai
Initiative and the Asian Bond Markets Initiative. The process aims to strengthen policy
dialogue, coordination, and collaboration on common financial, monetary, and fiscal
issues.
Last, ASEAN follows a consensus rule as an approach to decision making. The process
prevents collision of cultural beliefs and economic policies that are understandably not east
to unite

In facing the challenges brought about by globalization, Asian countries have responded
with regional alternatives as big group, small group and local communities.

As a big group, Asian countries established their own Asian Development Bank (ADB)
that is more focused on Asia and the Pacific as a reaction to global economic integration. Asian
nations work in the form of loans, grants, and information sharing on topics such as terrorism
and regional security.

The establishment of the ASEAN is also another initial reaction to globalization. It fosters
the spirit of regionalism and oneness of Asian nations. As a group, it sets out in the ASEAN
Declaration the following aims and purposes:
1. To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region;
2. To promote regional peace and stability;
3. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest;
4. To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities;
5. To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilization of their agriculture and
industries;
6. To expand trade, improve their transportation and communications facilities, and raise
the living standards of the people;
7. To promote Southeast Asian Studies; and
8. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation.

More so, Asian countries respond to globalization as a small group by doing bilateral or
multilateral agreements. For example, Philippines has standing bilateral agreements with China in
trade, defense, infrastructure, transnational crimes, tourism, education, health, and many others.

Reaction to globalization (and the West) also gave rise to terror groups, like the Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) which has spread to the Muslim communities in Southern
Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. To combat global terrorism, these countries made use of

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their available resources to minimize and ultimately stop the effects of civilian victims such as
displacement and suffering. More so, they reached military multilateral agreements to address this
common problem. In 2017, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia had a trilateral security
meeting wherein they agreed that they need to conduct joint navy patrols within their boundaries
to prevent he entry and exit of the terror group (Antiporta, 2017).

Other reactions to globalization came in the form of disengagement from globalization that
transpired locally. Santi Suk village in Thailand created its own currency, called the bia, that was
regulated by a central bank in a village. This homemade currency can only be used in participating

sufficiency movements that emerged after the Asian financial crisis of 1997. Other forms of
disengagement appeared in the formation of self sufficiency groups, community owned rice
mills, and the preference for local products (Kimura, 2014).

To conclude, globalization and regionalization are the same for they refer to integration.
Their difference lies on the scope. Globalization is worldwide, while regionalization focuses on a
specific geographical region. As a response to world homogenization and division, regionalism
that comes in various forms of regional alternatives to globalization spawned within and among
regions in Asia. Asian integration did not happen based only on one historical event for there were
different factors that led to this alliance.

Exercise 1: Towards a Formidable Asian Integration

Name: ______________________________ Date: ____________
Course and Section: ____________________ Score: ___________

Instructions: Identify two strengths of the Philippines that may contribute to a greater
integration among countries in the Asian region. Explain

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