Utility function applied to interregional cooperation: case of the ASEM

Abstract

This article presents one possible point of view on the interregional cooperation through the optic of neorealist and neoliberal international relation theories. Applying the constructivist approach to utility function and creating utility function of regions, the author aims to explain the reasons of difficulties of interregional cooperation from the two above mentioned rational points of view. The conclusions are drawn on the case of the Asia Europe Meeting cooperation showing that a low integration of a participating region may hamper an interregional cooperation, and that the current economic policy of the EU towards the Asian region is on the right track.

Keywords

• interregionalism
• regional integration
• the asem
• the eu
• utility function