Comparative Regional Governance

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Politics and International Studies at the undergraduate level

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject examines regionalism in a comparative perspective, focusing in particular on Europe and the Asia Pacific. It examines regional governance in terms of institutions, practices, values, norms and governance outputs. The role of leadership is scrutinised. The value of comparative approaches is critically examined. The subject explores theories of regionalism and comparative regionalism studies. It critically assesses The European Union’s experience of regional integration and the ideas that it constitutes a template of reference point for other regions and for regionalism studies.

The role of sovereignty, consensus identity and security are examined in the case of Asia regionalisms. The differing emphases accorded to institutions, supranationalism, intergovernmentalism and law are examined comparatively.

The debates regarding what and who constitute drivers are presented in a thematic and comprehensive manner. They examine historical contexts; intellectual initiators; crisis; external threats; institutions; multilateralism; common problems; ideas and narratives all as drivers, or on occasion, as inhibitors of regionalism and integration in Asia and Europe as well as aspects of South America and Africa. This subject examines alternative views on what drives regionalism, such as multilateral forums such as the UN or the experiences and promotion of other regions – so here exogenous factors, including other regions or multilateralism or crisis or threat perception are crucial elements in this subject. Leadership and core states are also critically examined. Material, ideational and normative factors are all examined and assessed comparatively.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• Understand the origins, drivers and impediments in regionalism and integration in Europe; Asia; Africa and South America;

• Comprehend the role of crisis and endogenous and exogenous factors in regional governance architectures;

• Gain knowledge of major debates in the comparative regionalism literature concerning regional architecture and institutional structure;

• Acquire in-depth understanding of important historical and contemporary issues concerning the role of leadership in regional governance;

• Deepen analytical skills relevant to careers in international affairs, including in government, business, media, and nongovernment organisations.

• Written up class presentation of 1,000 words due Week 7 of semester (20%)
• Policy briefing of 2,000 words due Week 10 of semester (40%)
• Research essay of 2,000 words due during the examination period (40%)

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Brennan, L. and Murray, P.eds., Drivers of Integration and Regionalism in Europe and Asia: Comparative Perspectives, Routledge, 2015.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
• develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
• communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively;
• develop cross-cultural understanding.