Integration Processes in Asia and Africa

2021/2022

Учебный год

ENG

Обучение ведется на английском языке

3

Кредиты

Кто читает:

Школа востоковедения

Статус:

Курс по выбору

Когда читается:

2-й курс, 2 модуль

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Within the framework of this course, the subject “Integration” is studied in three main spheres: international relations, the world economy and international law. The theory of integration processes is comprehensively studied, and analysis is carried out concerning existing integration associations of Asian and African countries. Integration processes in their modern interpretation began to develop in the world from about the second half of the 20th century. In the 1960s the first stable integration blocs emerged, in the formation of which the concept of “closed regionalism” dominated as a kind of protectionism and cohesion of the countries of the region to achieve economic development and prosperity through intra-regional integration. The concepts of "regional integration" have been formed since that period. However, since the 1970s globalization processes are actively growing in the world, implying large-scale trans-regional cooperation, and the second wave of intensification of integration processes in the world was taking place on the principles of “open regionalism”. Not only economically developed countries but also developing as well as the least developed countries of Asia and Africa are involved in various forms of integration processes, however, in different regions, in the formats of different integration blocks, they develop in a different way, with varying degrees of effectiveness and viability of their integration. The countries of the Asia-Pacific region in the 21st century are especially actively involved in the creation of a new generation of interregional integration agreements, examples of which are the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership. A number of theories are devoted to the concept of “international economic integration”, within the framework of which stages and classifications of development of economic integration are distinguished - from preferential trade agreements as a pre-integration stage of cooperation between countries to economic and monetary union and political integration as the highest possible form of integration development. The latest development (practical and of scientific thought) in the field of international integration is the formation of a new direction in the framework of international law, “integration law”. It reflects the urgent need for the formulation of new rules designed to regulate global and regional integration processes and the legal relations arising in their framework between states and other participants of international relations, including economic ones.

Learning Objectives

• The course provides a mix of theory, empirical evidence, legal and institutional detail. Students will be able to know and analyze preconditions and effects of trade and monetary integration, know about modern trends in economic integration. The course is based on two main pillars: the first one requires learning of the theory of integration, basic concepts of regional integration, theories of international economic integration, forms of integration, such as a preferential trade agreement, a free trade area, customs union, common market, economic union, and total (political) integration. Such a modern branch of international law as integration law is also examined as a part of the theoretical aspects of modern integration. Another part of the course is substantially devoted to analyzing existing integration blocs and associations in the countries of Asia and Africa.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Analyze the repercussions of U.S.-China competition for regional hegemony for the regional and global order.
• Apply the basic methodological approaches to the rise and fall of great powers, including some case studies in Asia/Eurasia.
• Be able to characterize the major traits of the post-Cold War international order and the parameters of the U.S.’s “exit from hegemony,” including its implications for the Asia-Pacific.
• Develop awareness of specific great power strategies, which are global in their scope, and critical for the evolution of the international system.
• Develop awareness of specific great power strategies, which are global in their scope, and critical for the evolution of the international system.
• to distinguish an integration block from a general international organization
• to distinguish various forms and stages of integration.

Course Contents

• International System, Power, and Leadership in the 21st Century; Crisis of Capitalism and Liberal Hegemony
• Polarity and [Post-Hegemonic] Global Order
• Great Power’s Strategic Choice: Values vs. Interests
• Polarity and [Post-Hegemonic] Global Order
• Contending Approaches: The Realist Argument

Assessment Elements

• Class attendance
  35% of final grade
• Participation at the class work
  15% of final grade
• Exam
  30% of final grade
• Group discussion and readings
  20% of final grade

Interim Assessment

• 2021/2022 2nd module
  0.3 * Exam + 0.25 * Participation at the class work + 0.25 * Group discussion and readings + 0.2 * Class attendance

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Miroslav N. Jovanović. (2015). The Economics of International Integration, Second Edition. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• China’s rising strategic ambitions in Asia East Asia strategic review editor M.S. Prathibha ; IDSA - Institute for Defence Studies & Analysis. (2018).