Regionalism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), 1990-2012 : an evaluative study

Abstract

Regional experiences have certain assumptions in common and have been framed within a common globalist perspective. Nevertheless, each regional cooperation process has its own distinctive features. This diversity reflects the differential local characteristics of regionalism which need to be included in any discussion about the subject. The case of the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) stands out clearly in this context. This study has addressed three major research questions. Firstly, what are the main features of regionalism?; secondly, what is the role of Islam in reshaping MENA`s regional cooperation?; thirdly, why has regional cooperation among countries in MENA taken the form that it has and what are the main factors in this process? The objectives are to investigate and examine the features of new regionalism with regard to (MENA), to examine the role of Islam in shaping MENA regional cooperation and to determine and analyse, the factors that influence cooperation in the MENA region. This study uses new regionalism (NR) as its theoretical framework. This theory has the following features: 1) geographical proximity; 2) trade liberalisation; 3) economic interdependence; 4) non-discrimination; 5) unilateral reform; and 6) religion values. This study also explains the main factors contributing to regionalism in the MENA region including: 1) colonialism; 2) conflicts; 3) system of governance; and 4) identity. The study found that: despite some positive signs of regionalism, MENA suffers from poor regionalism. It is characterised by slow trade liberalisation, weak regional import-export process, vague unilateral reform, and the absence of religious values. On the other hand, the dependence of MENA in political processes and economic development; conflicts, weak governance; and the suffering in promoting a collective identity has continued to preserve the MENA region as an under-developed, less integrated and poorly cohesive as a regional unit.