The correlates of regional cooperation: A regional dyadic approach

Abstract

AbstractUnder what conditions do regional countries engage in cooperation? Regional cooperation arguably matters as an essential factor for the peace and development of nations, yet few quantitative studies have observed only countries. Cooperation nevertheless occurs between countries. This study presents the first global analysis of the correlates of regional cooperation through an analyses of dyads—where cooperation occurs. The independence concerns of interstate dyads are addressed using dyadic clustering robust standard error estimation. The analyses offered here, of memberships in 76 regional organizations from 1945 to 2012, yield several factors as significant forces of regional cooperation. In order of importance, these are: joint democracy, joint language, equal material capability, and trade interdependence. I also explore if weaker countries are more hesitant to cooperate with stronger ones in the regions studied. This is an interesting contribution at the theoretical level, as it seems to privilege a liberal explanation of regional organizations (trade, democracy) over a hegemonic realist explanation (power asymmetry).Related ArticlesBishwakarma, Jham Kumar, and Zongshan Hu. 2021. “Problems and Prospects for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).” Politics & Policy 50(1): 154–79. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12443.Genna, Gaspare M., and David A. Mayer‐Foulkes. 2011. “Beyond Borders: Migration, Security, and Cooperation in North America.” Politics & Policy 39(1): 5–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00280.x.Levine, Steven. 2007. “Asian Values and the Asia Pacific Community: Shared Interests and Common Concerns.” Politics & Policy 35(1): 102–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00050.x.