South Asian Regionalism

Abstract

The book explains the politics of regionalism in South Asia from the vantagepoint of International Relations (IR). It engages three major IR theoretical approaches – Neorealism, institutionalism and constructivism - to explain the complex dynamics of South Asian regionalism – its origin, evolutionary process, outcome and effects. The study traces the origins and evolution of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) from its inception to the present day. Using comparative perspectives based on the experiences of similar regional organisations, the book provides an in-depth analysis of the performance of SAARC and its challenges and limits. The study divides the evolution of SAARC into two distinct phases. In the formative phase, the organisation primarily focussed on, based on the neo-functional idea of ‘spillover’ – low level issue areas for cooperation. In the second phase from 1993 onward, cooperation was initiated in the core economic areas, i.e. trade in goods and services, finance, investment etc. While the organisation achieved some tangible and intangible successes, its failures are more glaring. Terming the formation of SAARC essentially as a political project, the book argues that the patterns of regional international relations have primarily determined the outcome of regionalism in South Asia. While the socio-economic development constituted the key rationale for the formation of SAARC, its modus operandi was politico-strategic which led to its gradual erosion. Notwithstanding its limits, the book asserts that SAARC will have to be called back at a future date due to the persistence of the compelling rationale for which it was created.