TY - CHAP

T1 - Global Theories of Regionalism

AU - Iroulo, Lynda Chinenye

AU - Lenz, Tobias

PY - 2022/12/7

Y1 - 2022/12/7

N2 - This chapter surveys theories of regionalism and proposes a research agenda to study regionalism in a more inclusive and pluralistic fashion. We argue that much of the theorizing on regionalism is either implicitly or explicitly based on the European integration experience (EU-centrism) or is deductively derived from general International Relations theories with their tendency for Western-centrism. Thus, this chapter seeks to shift scholarly attention towards other, more critical approaches that we believe hold considerable merit in the study of regionalism. After surveying mainstream theoretical approaches to the study of regionalism, we highlight critical perspectives that have already engaged with regionalism or hold much potential in doing so. Decolonial, postcolonial perspectives, and their variants present a critical historical and political lens to theorizing beyond Europe. We conclude by suggesting that regionalism's current theoretical work could benefit from a broader engagement with critical scholarship in engaging alternative knowledge, historicizing scholarship and theorizing with regions as the basis.

AB - This chapter surveys theories of regionalism and proposes a research agenda to study regionalism in a more inclusive and pluralistic fashion. We argue that much of the theorizing on regionalism is either implicitly or explicitly based on the European integration experience (EU-centrism) or is deductively derived from general International Relations theories with their tendency for Western-centrism. Thus, this chapter seeks to shift scholarly attention towards other, more critical approaches that we believe hold considerable merit in the study of regionalism. After surveying mainstream theoretical approaches to the study of regionalism, we highlight critical perspectives that have already engaged with regionalism or hold much potential in doing so. Decolonial, postcolonial perspectives, and their variants present a critical historical and political lens to theorizing beyond Europe. We conclude by suggesting that regionalism's current theoretical work could benefit from a broader engagement with critical scholarship in engaging alternative knowledge, historicizing scholarship and theorizing with regions as the basis.

KW - Politics

KW - regionalism

KW - Regional organizations

KW - regional order

KW - critical theory

KW - postcolonial theory

KW - global IR

UR - https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/handbook-on-global-governance-and-regionalism-9781800377554.html

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/fb240b7a-f082-33ec-b505-468dec8c6f94/

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85146714605&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.4337/9781800377561.00012

DO - 10.4337/9781800377561.00012

M3 - Chapter

SN - 978-1-80037-755-4

T3 - Edward Elgar Handbooks

SP - 36

EP - 51

BT - Handbook on Global Governance and Regionalism

A2 - Rüland, Jürgen

A2 - Carrapatoso, Astrid

PB - Edward Elgar Publishing

CY - Cheltenham

ER -