Integration of Large States

Abstract

Yet another problem of Eurasian integration is that it is based on the interaction of relatively large states and groups of states. This brings specific advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, the number of parties required to reach consensus and to derive benefit from regional integration is relatively low, and demand from private businesses for this type of regional project can be higher. On the other hand, it is much more difficult to find areas of cooperation of equal importance to all the large states (which are usually trying to pursue various other goals and objectives at the same time). In addition, large economic areas may suffer from a lack of internal cohesion — this is less of a problem for individual nation-states in Eurasia than for regional integration groups, which could become the ‘building blocks’ of Eurasian integration. However, the reverse effect also needs to be considered here: supporting regional integration on a continental scale can indeed increase the internal cohesion of regions. We document this effect studying the role of ASEM.