ABSTRACT
According to Hettne, “[r] egionalization contains a security dimension, which is quite essential to the dynamics of any integration process.” (Hettne 2003a: 150). Generally, this would refer to the argument that “new” forms of regionalism are considered to be a direct response to processes of globalization. In that respect, regionalization would achieve “security” by the “[return of] the political” (Hettne 1999: 7) against “external” processes (i.e. globalization).1 In particular, “security regionalism” is understood as “attempts by states and other actors in a particular geographical area – a region in the making – to transform a security complex with conflict-generating interstate and intrastate relations towards a security community with cooperative external relations and domestic peace” (Hettne 2003a: 149). It seems to be the case that security plays an important – but rather general – role within the new regionalism debate. Security is considered as a function of regionalism. It is an (un)intended goal of the dynamics within processes of regionalization, whether generally in terms of a reaction against globalization or particularly as an intended goal within a conflict-ridden “security complex”.2 This would imply that regionalism and processes of regionalization always transmit and contribute to security in any way. This chapter seeks to break up this functional assumption and to offer an argument utilizing insights of critical security studies within the new regionalism discussion.
