Der neue asiatische Regionalismus

Abstract

After discussing theories of international relations, they focus their analysis on neoinstitutionalist and constructivist approaches, in order to avoid interpreting cooperation processes merely in terms of power, national interest and functional efficiency. These theoretical considerations build the foundation for examining in the main part of the article the specific quality of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and ASEAN+3 (ASEANplus China, Korea and Japan). Their main thesis is that even the "New Regionalism" in East Asia could acquire a new dimension. For the first time wide-ranging, comprehensive cooperation among two regions in Asia is evolving, and for the first time the two regions could be able to establish a new integrated complex.