ALTERNATIVE REGIONS

Alternative Regionalisms in an Age of Globalization. The Role of Civil Society

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Recently, economic liberalization emphasis on regionalism has been a prime concern for wider sectors of civil society around the world. Over and over, these groups are presented in the mass media as opponents to this policy option. Less has been said about the alternatives they have put forward. This research focuses on this task and in so doing; it develops a systematic and comparative South-South analysis of: a) key initiatives promoted by civil society groups in Latin America as alternatives to overcome socio-economic deficits embedded in contemporary regionalism; and b) practices of governance that are emerging for the implementation of these alternatives. Therefore, this project advances my previous research findings on gender, trade and democracy and identifies concrete forms in which economic liberalization, gender inequalities and the lack of citizen participation (particularly of elderly, poor, disable and indigenous women) are inextricably related at sub-regional level. Based upon an action-oriented research methodology and incorporating intersectoral exchanges between civil society and the academic sector in Europe and Latin America, this study’s contributes to: 1. Bring together the literature on the politics of alternative development, feminist economics and regional studies within IPE for the comparative and systematic analysis of alternative regionalisms 2. Provide an updated and comparative assessment of concrete practices of alternative regionalisms in Latin America in which greater levels of subsidiarity in decision-making has (or has not) been successfully promoted. 3. Explore concrete cases of civic activism in relation to three official mechanisms of regional governance that involve Northern and Southern counterparts: the European Union New Strategic Partnership for Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP/NAFTA plus).'

Introduzione (Teaser)

In the rush to exploit the natural wealth of some regions, society has often overlooked the adverse consequences that may result. An independent study suggests it is time to adjust perspectives, find viable alternatives and listen to indigenous concerns.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The exploitation of natural resources in certain regions has led to the exclusion of wealth and benefits for some indigenous populations. In many cases, globalisation has bypassed the concerns of native populations, bringing disruption, environmental destruction and regional conflict. A new study presents a fresh look at regionalisation and provides an alternative approach to the exploitation of natural wealth.

The ?Alternative regionalisms in an age of globalization - the role of civil society? (Alternative regions) project presents several noteworthy findings. For example, one supports incentives for the stewardship of a region's wealth by native populations in an effort to ensure long-term goals and mutual inclusion of benefits. This would help to safeguard natural resources such as water, land and seeds.

Civil society groups in Latin America, for example, have tabled a number of key initiatives which have been perceived as counter to the economic liberalisation of a region. The media have often portrayed such groups negatively. The study goes to great lengths to allay such fears with comprehensive research into finding alternatives.

Such alternatives would enable all parties to overcome the socio-economic deficits embedded in the contemporary exploitation of regions. The study also stipulated alternatives for their democratic inclusion in the governance of such regions.

The completed project has compiled its findings into an 80;000-word document, which is given extra weight via its conclusions that have been derived from both academic and field research. In addition, it addresses complex issues in a number of publications, tackling such themes as globalisation and security.

It has also considered economic regions, such as the EU, Free Trade Area of the Americas and SPP (Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America), giving them the framework to develop a means to analyse their official mechanisms. It has done so in an effort to include civil society in the policy decision-making process.

Through international conferences, workshops and seminars, the research aims to contribute towards critical governance studies and to bringing about change through better governance principles.