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The aim of this book is to explore the past, present and future role of regional integration initiatives in Asia. Influenced by phenomena like the end of bipolarity, domestic dynamics, the Asian crisis, economic block¬building, the rise of China and India and the slow pace of international trade negotiations, regionalism flourished in Asia and its major sub¬regions (East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Middle East) especially since the beginning of the 1990s. Many countries in Asia form part of a steadily growing network of regional integration agreements (RIAs). These treaties are mostly signed bilaterally between countries neighbouring each other or that belong to the same sub¬region. In Asia this pattern applies in particular to the sub¬regions of both the Middle East and East Asia. Lately, however, also agreements were concluded or are in the making between countries from across the region connecting countries like Jordan and Singapore, China and Pakistan or the Arab Gulf Countries with Malaysia, India or Pakistan. In addition, there are a host of multilateral RIAs such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN + 3, Asia Pacific Economic Organization (APEC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) or the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and last but not least the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

The differences between RIAs and their effects on regional integration processes are the core aspects to be investigated in this book.

Against this background, each chapter or case study deals with one or more of the following dimensions or issues of regional integration covering both theoretical and empirical aspects of the overall question: - Introducing new methodological and/or innovative theoretical conceptualizations regarding the causes and effects of libateral/multilateral RIAs - Debating and comparing preconditions for successful integration among RIAs in Asia/its major sub¬regions - Assessing and comparing concepts underlying the design of existing and potential future RIAs in Asia - Measuring outcomes of formal initiatives of integration and market¬driven patterns of regionalization in different policy fields (trade, investment, political and security cooperation etc.) - Assessing the role of regional powers / potential Hubs (China, Japan, India) as well as extra¬regional actors (USA, EU) in promoting or hindering regional economic and/or political cooperation/integration - Case studies of bilateral and multilateral RIAs in Asia and their interplay with global economic institutions / governance.

Most of the literature and conferences or workshops organized on topics of regionalism / regionalization in Asia have concentrated to date on one specific area or sub-region, i.e. the Middle East or South-East Asia or they have focused on a specific academic discipline. This book, however, brings together scholars and practitioners in international development cooperation from different disciplinary backgrounds. In addition, it promises to take up an 'inter-Asian' perspective offering the opportunity to explore and compare the fairly diverse experiences of regionalization gained thus far in the different parts of Asia.