Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.7, 2019

 

Regional Governance in International Relations: Theoretical Construction and Comparative Analysis

(Abstract)

 

Zhang Yun

 

Regions are non-state social and historical units, and regional governance is a social practice based on the geographic environment, ethnic and community distribution and legacy of civilization in different areas, in which the unit is the region. In the second half of the 20th century, with the diffusion and “hollowing out” of national power, different international relations factors have been readjusted on regional scope. Regional governance has increasingly become a normal mechanism for promoting regional cooperation, stabilization and good governance. Taking regional connectivity, regional institutionalization and regional powers as basic factors, regional governance has formed three basic mechanisms: regional coordination, regional management, and regional supervision. An analysis of regional governance practice in Europe, North America and East Asia shows that governance in different regions each has their own paths of evolution and own modes. They have both features in common and of their own, which has enriched the regional level of global governance.