Regional Pluralism and Good Governance

Regional Pluralism is perceived nowadays as a challenge and as an opportunity. It is a challenge vis-à-vis the current transnational integration processes that take place all over the world. Social and economic disparities as well as political antagonisms (both internal and external) are perceived as inhibiting factors on the road to market integration and peaceful cohabitation. On the other hand, historical idproduct, cultural specificity and economic differentiation and specialisation can greatly contribute to the enhancement of the "potential" that characterises each country, each region and even local community. A research project bringing together scholars from ASEAN and the EU wanted to analyse both dimensions of regional pluralism in these two parts of the world. The collection of (country) studies assembled in this book shall – as selected examples – illustrate what is implied in the topic of the project: aspects of such regional pluralism and strategies to deal properly ("good governance") with the respective challenges. All those interested in these different aspects of regional pluralism in general and with respect to the EU and the ASEAN region will profit from using the book.