Towards Asian regional functional futures: bringing Mitrany back in?

Abstract

In the early years of the 21 st century, Asian regionalism is at a cross-road. While the region is home to a broad array of multilateral organisations, the record of these bodies in fostering effective and legitimate cooperation has been decidedly weak. Drawing on insights from the work of David Mitrany on international cooperation, this paper contends that the key problem facing Asian regionalism is a predilection for 'top-down' rather than 'bottom-up' regionalism strategies. This top-down strategy has involved efforts to find a single institutional design for regional cooperation (similar to the experience of Europe), which has been hindered by geopolitical rivalries and a lack of shared consensus around what constitutes the 'Asian region'. By considering the contours of inter-state competition in Asia, the track record of its existing regionalism efforts, and insights from comparative regional studies, it is instead argued that Asia's future is one of regions rather than a single region. As Mitrany suggests, the unique geopolitical context in Asia means that functionally-discrete and variegated strategies are likely to provide a more effective basis for regional cooperation. Indeed, trends towards such a functional approach to regionalism are already becoming evident in Asia today.

Integrating ASEAN in Labor Migration Policy: From Disjointed to Complementary Actor

“…Regional migration governance in Southeast Asia, and ASEAN's role in regulatory regionalism, also responds to the observation by Breslin and Wilson (, p. 126) that one of the main problems facing Asian regionalism is the tendency of “top‐down” rather than “bottom‐up” regionalism strategies. They argue that “functionally discrete and variegated strategies”—reminiscent of David Mitrany's functional regionalism—are a more effective foundation for regional cooperation, a trend that is evident in Asia presently.…”

Marketing innovation and internationalization in smart city development: a systematic review, framework and research agenda

“…Furthermore, studies related to the development of smart cities in Asia do not emerge in our sample, as they have a top-down approach, and they are not market-based (Chan, 2012; Breslin and Wilson, 2015; Parasol, 2018). Specifically, studies in developing economies such as China (Zhang et al ., 2020) and India (Chatterjee et al ., 2018) based on Big Data and IoT as the main drivers in the smart city development.…”

“…As highlighted, in our sample analysis we missed studies related to the development of smart cities in Asia, even if its relevant role in the field, due to their top-down and not market-based approach (Chan, 2012; Breslin and Wilson, 2015; Parasol, 2018). Studies in developing economies such as China (Zhang et al ., 2020) and India (Chatterjee et al ., 2018) focus on the predominance of Big Data and IoT, and they do not consider the role of human intervention (i.e.…”

Meanings, norms, and social constitution: revisiting ASEAN centrality in East Asian regionalism

“…Past research has examined sovereignty-protective norms in the ASEAN Way such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in domestic affairs. The sovereignty-protective norms have to do with regional elites' intention of establishing a framework to mediate estrangement and insecurity given fragile domestic sovereignty and have constrained ASEAN's capabilities to shift from a dialogue-based to a rule-based organization (Haacke, 2003: 51; Breslin and Wilson, 2015: 136).…”