Regional Dimension of Contemporary International Relations

Abstract

Modern international relations are characterized by the intensity of regionalization processes. On the one hand, globalization is taking place. On the other hand, in response to its negative consequences, primarily economic, different groups of states form regional associations.

Their protective reaction is due to two main factors. First, unification at the regional level is created in order to ensure the protection of national economies from external competitive influence. Secondly, this or that association strives for intraregional cooperation and consolidation of efforts in order to enter the global markets with stronger and stronger economies.

In this article, the main theoretical approaches are outlined to explain the essence of the regionalization of international relations.