ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1, we broadly defined regionalism as the structures, processes and arrangements that are working towards greater coherence within a specific international region in terms of economic, political, security, socio-cultural and other such linkages. It was further noted that regionalisation was an important constituent element of this, relating to regional concentrations of inter-connecting private or civil sector activities arising at the micro-level. This chapter first explores the historic roots of East Asia’s economic regionalisation before proceeding to outline its main features in the contemporary era, of which there are many aspects to consider. One of the most important concerns the growth and expansion of international production networks (IPNs) in the region, which have been a significant integrative force in the development of the East Asian regional economy. There are geographic factors at play with the formation of IPNs, as with other
aspects of East Asia’s regionalisation. As is discussed, there are certain spatial or zonal dimensions to networked patterns of regionalised economic activity in East Asia generally. For example, key elements of IPNs are invariably rooted in localised industrial districts or clusters, these being highly concentrated areas of economic development specialising in particular industrial sector operations. In this nexus between the networked and zonal aspects of East Asia’s regionalisation, we also examine the critical role played by the region’s world cities (e.g. Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok), for example as the main nodes in East Asia’s regional infrastructure systems. In addition, this chapter analyses East Asia’s emerging ‘growth polygons’, these
being sub-regional economic zones involving a number of participant countries in symbiotic development relationships. At the higher geo-spatial scale, we can discern a pan-regional development corridor that represents the prime core of East Asian regional economy. Together, the above developments may be considered the new economic geography of East Asia’s regionalisation, and the international political economy analysis of this chapter draws upon the disciplinary perspectives of geography, business studies and economic development, amongst others.
