China Social Science Review

No.4, 2021

 

A Chinese Perspective on Theoretical Innovation in Comparative Regionalism

(Abstract)

 

Xu Xiujun and Shen Chen

 

Coming after old and new regionalism, comparative regionalism is the latest development in regionalist theory. In terms of methodology, both old and new regionalism used comparative methods to varying degrees, providing insights and lessons for theories of comparative regionalism. In order to eliminate the boundaries between the different schools of regionalism, comparative regionalism adopts a research paradigm based on pluralist concepts, eclectic theory and empirical methods, but struggles to operate free of Eurocentric influences. In recent years, a new round of regional cooperation reconfiguration, such as the “Belt and Road Initiative,” has emerged globally: this should be used as an opportunity to accelerate the discipline’s theoretical innovation and strengthen China’s leading role in the practice of new regionalism.