ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews some key theoretical debates concerning the characteristics and role of regions and the dynamics of regionalization and microregionalism in the contemporary international political economy. These debates form a necessary starting point for the study of regionalization in southern China and for the establishment of a model of microregionalism which accommodates the broader context of changes that are occurring globally under the impact of the transformation of the spatial basis of political and economic organization. Although different theoretical perspectives are evident in the literature, and there continues to be vigorous debate over the nature, scope, causes and consequences of ‘the new regionalism’, the literature reveals broad agreement that regions at various scales of operation (hence the use of such terms as ‘regions’, ‘subregions’ and ‘microregions’) are becoming increasingly important in today’s global economy, and that the challenges posed by regionalization to the territorial organization of nation-states and the cross-border relations between nation-states are especially significant in terms of the emergence of new networks of governance linking local governments, business enterprises and business associations of all kinds.
