ABSTRACT
In a recent article on regionalism, Breslin and Higgott (2000: 347) state that, 'while the old regionalism simply focused on state actors, the new regionalism adds interactions with inter-state and global institutions and incorporates the role of non-state actors (especially multi-national corporations, emerging civil society organizations and other non-governmental organizations [NGOs])'. The new regionalism thus considers 'global, regional, national and local interactions' and the state's relationship with 'non-state, market and society actors' (Schulz et al9 2001: 5). This case study addresses these two key aspects of 'new regionalism' theorizing and their relationship to human security. First, the NRA provides empirical evidence for and insights into the benefits of adopting and linking various levels of analysis. Doing so draws attention to, among others, the oft-ignored effects of Western donors' policies and practices, including efforts to open up the African continent to the forces of economic globalization, and how, rather paradoxically, donor-sponsored political liberalization indirectly has resulted in the rise of 'ethnic clashes' in Kenya. Second, the NRA emphasizes the importance of getting 'inside' the state and understanding its complex relations with 'civil society'. This is particularly important in neo-patrimonial systems, such as Kenya. Problematizing state-society relations goes beyond underlining the state's failure to maintain public security and provides a critical look at its role in facilitating and sometimes actively instigating much of the violence.
