CONTEMPORARY WORLD: A WORLD OF REGIONS_MODULE-3.pptx

A world of regions.

1. MODULE 3: A world of regions Group 2 This module uncovers the physical and imaginary divisions of the world in the age of globalization. Section 1. The Global Divides: The North and the South , the sharing of ideas and experiences focuses on the concepts of the Global South and the Third World as socioeconomic and political labels or categories. Section 2. Asian Regionalism deals with the integration of the world's biggest land mass and population.

2. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of this section, you are expected to: explain the term Global South ; differentiate the Global South from the Third World . differentiate between Regionalization and Globalization ; and analyze how different Asian states confront the challenges of globalization and regionalization through REGIONALISM.

3. SECTION 1 Since the process of globalization is uneven , it follows that there is an imbalance in the socio-economic and political categories of the world. The world is divided into north and south , and first , second , and third . The Global Divides: THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH

4. This is a reflection of the global divide between the north and the south as experienced by these Filipinos. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Europe, Australia, and America tend to see the big difference between the ways of living in the Philippines and in Western countries. Some of them come home as "one-day millionaires" giving out presents to their family, relatives, neighbors, and friends. Although their incomes are relatively higher than if they work in the Philippines, they realize that life is still tough despite the remittances they send to their families and the taxes that the country gains from these. Furthermore, they cannot escape the reality that their occasional vacations in the Philippines are temporary because they would need to go back to work in order to continue making a living in another country.

5. What is GLOBAL SOUTH ? The term Global South is a metaphor for interstate inequality and a product of Western imagination (Claudio, 2014). Historically, there had been divisions and labeling among the different nations of the world.

6. Countries that were colonized by the Spaniards in the southern part of the American continent are collectively called Latin America . In 1494 , by virtue of the Treaty of Tordesillas , the newly discovered lands outside Europe were divided into two (2) - the West belonging to the Crown of Castile (now part of Spain) and the East belonging to the Portuguese Empire . From these divisions, the Global South refers to the socio-economic and political divide primarily focused on the southern hemisphere of the 1569-designed Mercatorian map . It consists of Africa , Latin America , and Asia including the Middle East . These nation-states are deemed to be not aligned with nation-states located in the northern hemisphere that adhere to fair labor practices , rights , free trade , reduced tariffs , and policies on sustainable development .

7. The Global South also connotes developing countries as opposed to rich, industrialized, and wealthy nations. On the contrary, the Global North is the home of all members of the Group of Eight (G8) - Canada , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , United Kingdom , Russia , and the United States of America . It is also the abode of the four powerful permanent members of the United Nations Security Council . It also refers to the developed countries in Asia , Australia , and New Zealand . As stated by Claudio (2014), the Global South "continues to be imagined and re-imagined by those who dominate it even as movements from below reshape these constructions through resistance ."

8. Economically poor families, underprivileged individuals, unfair labor practices, and suppression of human rights, and other violations of basic rights in Europe, Australia, US, and Canada are the pieces of evidence that people from developed countries also share similar experiences with people from developing countries . Conversely, a trip to the cosmopolitan metropolis of Metro Manila by someone from Tupi , South Cotabato denoting high standard of living, availability of better transport system, prevalence of banking and financial institutions, presence of big commercial establishments, and centrality of the national government-is that person's experience of the "Global North." Global South is also found in developed countries.

9. The Global North, therefore, is also relatively experienced within the geographical boundaries of the Global South.

10. By now, one can say that the terms Global South and Third World are conceptually the same . They both refer to conditions usually found in developing countries . But the term Third World is the antecedent of global south (Claudio, 2014). Arguably, the term third world ceased to exist when the Cold War ended . Historically, the world was once categorized based on the economic ideology of Western capitalism against the Soviet Union's socialism . As formal economies, CAPITALISM sustains consumer choice, private property, and economic freedom , while SOCIALISM is characterized by state control of the means of production, distribution, and exchange . Capitalist economies were considered First World and socialist economies.

11. The term THIRD WORLD was initially used to refer to the former colonies of European countries . To illustrate, India was considered a Third World country for it was a colony of the United Kingdom . According to this categorization, the Philippines was classified as Third World . Capitalist Economies First World Socialist Economies Second World did not belong to either types of formal economies Third World Later, the category was used to refer to countries that were neither capitalist nor socialist.

12. Since many countries were impoverished, the term was also used to refer to the POOR WORLD . These countries were non-industrialized and newly industrialized . They lacked the standard systems in banking , finance , and trade . Hence, it is outdated to say that countries in Southeast Asia belong to the THIRD WORLD for the term has ended its usage after the Cold War . These countries may be classified as the GLOBAL SOUTH though some of their citizens experience the Global North within their territories.

13. SECTION 2 This section probes the mechanism of a unique integration of the ASIAN REGIONS and how nation-states approach the challenges of world homogenization and division . ASIAN REGIONALISM

14. CHINA is the home of more than 1.4 billion people , based on the 2018 population projection of the United Nations. In fact, it is becoming one of the economic superpowers of the world . After the Second World War, JAPAN was able to adapt its policies to the dictates of the West and consequently incorporate itself into the global economy . On the other hand, SINGAPORE has become one of the emerging centers of different cultures and has turned itself into a great cosmopolitan city-state . All these countries belong to the continent of Asia , a term that originated in the West, particularly in Ancient Greece. Among all the continents, Asia has the biggest population—at least two-thirds of the world's inhabitants .

15. In terms of economy , emerging and developing Asian countries and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 5, or ASEAN 5 1. INDONESIA 2. MALAYSIA 3. PHILIPPINES 4. VIETNAM 5. THAILAND (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand) had an average of 6.3% and 5.1% GDP growth , respectively, compared to the world average growth of 3.5% as of 2016 ( Obiols , 2017). In 2016, China was the world's leading exporter of goods valued at $1.99 trillion, followed by the United States with $1.45 trillion (Dillinger, 2018).

16. Most countries want to have collaborations with EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members because economic and political growth in these regions has 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 maintains its strong relationship with Asian countries to expand its growing business in the field of medical science and research .

17. What makes Asian nations stronger than ever ? The establishment of collaboration and cooperation based on respect . For one, ASEAN, as a regional bloc, pays full respect for the sovereignty and independence of its members through consensus and consultation ( Eliassen & Arnadottir , 2012). In this light, globalization , regionalization , and regionalism are compared. Also, exposure 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.

18. NOTE : The terms regionalization and globalization are both related to integration. What is globalization ? is the expansion and intensification of social relations and consciousness across time and space . What is Regionalization ? is "the growth of societal integration within a region and the often-undirected processes of social and economic interaction " (Hurrel, 1995). In terms of scope, it is very clear that globalization is borderless . It happens around the world, while regionalization happens only in a specific geographical region .

19. Social and economic reciprocal actions of regionalization are undirected because of diversity . This diversity comes at 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, Shintoism, and more ) (Richter & West, 2014).

20. What is the difference between regionalism & Regionalization ? REGIONALISM refers to the regional concentration of economic flows , while REGIONALIZATION refers to a political process of economic policy if cooperation and coordination are present among countries (Mansfield & Wilmer, 1993). Regionalism also pertains to the process of intergovernmental collaboration between two or more states ( Eliassen & Arnadottir , 2012). 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 : the political security community , the economic community , and the socio-cultural community .

21. The POLITICAL SECURITY COMMUNITY gives importance to human rights , drugs , foreign relations , defense , law , and transnational crimes . In the ECONOMIC COMMUNITY the association adheres to significant roles of monitoring — economic ministers , finance ministers , central bank governors , free trade areas , investment areas , 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 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 .

22. ASEAN has also partnered with three East Asian countries : China , Japan , and South Korea . It is called the ASEAN +3 . Similar to ASEAN's goal of 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 and the United States (now including Mexico) , was created to help reduce trading costs , increase business investment , and help North America be more competitive in the global marketplace (NAFTA, 2018). Its goal is to address the 1997 Asian financial crisis and help each other cope with it. In this context, ASEAN has concretized regionalism in the Asian region.

23. 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. Emerging and developing economies in Japan, China, South Korea, and other Asian countries get the labor services of Filipino skilled workers. Southeast Asians market their goods within the region. Thailand exports its grocery products to 24-hour convenience stores. Vietnam and Indonesia sell their bags and clothing to the region. It was only in recent years that teamwork among Asian governments has been exerted, though with a certain distance. On the other hand, the European Union (EU) is a political and economic entity established to ensure free movement of people , goods , services , and capital within the EU's single market (EU, 2018a). Moreover, there are some aspects that led to greater Asian integration .

24. Second , formal institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were established . The Asian Development Bank (ADB), a financial institution with 67 members, initially focused on food production and rural development, aims to promote social and economic development in Asia. It provides loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to its members and partners. Third , economic grants and overseas development assistance are made available by better Asian economies. For example, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to work on human security and quality growth. The agency targets promoting international cooperation and the development of the Japanese and global economies by supporting the socio-economic development, recovery, or economic stability of developing regions.

25. Fourth , production networks have expanded . Economies are based mainly on comparative advantage through the regional division of labor. The Philippines' major exports are electronic products and copper products, to name a few. Indonesia sells palm oil, rubber, and natural gas within the region. South Korea produces machinery products and motor vehicles. Fifth , cooperation among the ASEAN and East Asian countries ensued in the ASEAN +3 Financial Ministers' Process , which established two economic structures : 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.

26. Last , if the EU is rules-based , ASEAN follows a consensus rule as an approach to decision-making . This process prevents the collision of cultural beliefs and economic policies that are understandably not easy to unite because of the region's diversity of archipelagic lives.

27. In facing the challenges brought about by globalization , Asian countries have responded with regional alternatives as big groups , small groups , 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 . JAPAN , the forerunner of the institution, believes that investments can be a factor in social development . Consequently, Japan is a major contributor to the ADB . Asian nations work in the form of loans , grants , and information sharing on topics such as terrorism and regional security .

28. The establishment of ASEAN is also another initial reaction to globalization. It fosters the spirit of regionalism and oneness among 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 their people. 7.) to promote Southeast Asian Studies; and 8.) to maintain close and beneficial cooperation.

29. More so, Asian countries respond to globalization as a small group . ASIAN REGIONALISM lacks institutions and bureaucratic bodies to serve the region, unlike the European Union model of a single market for goods and services. As a result, individual countries make bilateral or multilateral agreements . For example , the Philippines has standing bilateral agreements with China in trade, defense, infrastructure, transnational crimes, tourism, education, health, and many others. In fact, during the recent visit of current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to China, Chinese leaders expressed their support for the president's campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism, among others.

30. Another reaction comes from China, India, and Japan as important regional players. They initiate concrete dialogue in formulating visions, shared goals, and roadmaps for regional cooperation in Asia. Reaction to globalization (and the West) also gave rise to terror groups like the ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND SYRIA (ISIS) , which have spread to Muslim communities in the Southern Philippines , Indonesia , and Malaysia . To combat global terrorism , these countries made use of their available resources to minimize and ultimately stop the effects on civilian victims , such as displacement and suffering. More so, they reached multilateral military agreements to address this common problem . In 2017 , the Philippines , Indonesia , and Malaysia had a trilateral security meeting wherein they agreed that they needed to conduct joint navy patrols within their boundaries to prevent the entry and exit of the terror group ( Antiporta , 2017).

31. 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 the village . This homemade currency can only be used in participating villages and cannot be exchanged for Thailand's baht . This trend is a manifestation of self-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 cooperative shops ; the gathering of traditional herbal practitioners; and the preference for local products (Kimura, 2014).

32. To conclude, GLOBALIZATION and REGIONALIZATION are the same , for they refer to integration . Their difference lies in the scope . Globalization is worldwide , while regionalization focuses on a specific geographical region . As a response to world homogenization and division , REGIONALISM , which 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 .

33. SUMMARY AND WRAP-UP FOR MODULE 3: A WORLD OF REGIONS This module explored the concept of regionalism in the context of globalization, focusing on Asia as a case study. Here are the key takeaways: CONCEPTS: GLOBAL SOUTH: a term referring to developing countries facing similar challenges, often located in the Southern Hemisphere. REGIONALISM: integration within a specific geographical region, distinct from global-scale integration. ASEAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional bloc promoting cooperation and collaboration among member states. ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB): a financial institution focused on promoting social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific. KEY POINTS: Asian countries have responded to globalization through various forms of regionalism:  BIG GROUPS: Establishing institutions like the ADB to address shared concerns.  SMALL GROUPS: Forming bilateral and multilateral agreements for specific goals.  LOCAL COMMUNITIES: initiating self-sufficiency movements and disengaging from certain aspects of globalization. ASEAN serves as a key example of regionalism, promoting economic growth, peace, and collaboration among member states. Asia's regional integration is diverse and driven by various factors, not just a single historical event.