Prevailing integration theories suffer from Eurocentrism and cannot be applied to developing regions, because they implicitly rely on intraregional economic interdependence as a driving force for regional integration. This article starts from the observation that intraregional economic interdependence is low and dependence on extra-regional economic relations is high in the Global South. The aim of regional integration in developing regions is not the liberalisation and regulation of intraregional trade, rather an effort to improve the regions’ competitiveness on the global market. Well-integrated developing regions may attract more extra-regional investment inflows and negotiate better access to extra-regional export markets, but the regional member states also compete with each other for their respective shares in extra-regional investment and trade. Dominant regional powers may do better in this competition if they act unilaterally and strive for privileged economic relations with extra-regional partners. As a result, the respective member states defect and regional integration is stalled. Case studies of MERCOSUR and SADC confirm that Brazil and South Africa protected their privileged positions during the last 15 years. In contrast, ASEAN is not dominated by a regional power and economic integration has proceeded due to the gains from extra-regional cooperation within the ASEAN + 3 framework.

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区域行动者的游戏：全球南方的依赖、区域主义和一体化理论

盛行的一体化理论受欧洲中心主义的影响，无法应用于发展中地区，因为它们隐含地依赖区域内经济的相互依存性作为区域一体化的驱动力。本文从观察到全球南方地区内经济相互依存度低而对地区外经济关系依赖度高的观察开始。发展中地区区域一体化的目标不是区域内贸易的自由化和监管，而是努力提高区域在全球市场上的竞争力。整合良好的发展中地区可能会吸引更多的区域外投资流入，并通过谈判更好地进入区域外出口市场，但区域成员国也相互竞争各自在区域外投资和贸易中的份额。如果主导地区大国单方面采取行动并争取与地区外合作伙伴建立享有特权的经济关系，那么它们在这场竞争中可能会做得更好。其结果是，各成员国纷纷脱轨，区域一体化陷入停滞。南方共同市场和南共体的案例研究证实，巴西和南非在过去 15 年中保护了他们的特权地位。相比之下，东盟并非由地区大国主导，经济一体化因东盟+3框架内区域外合作的收益而得以推进。各自的成员国出现问题，区域一体化陷入停滞。南方共同市场和南共体的案例研究证实，巴西和南非在过去 15 年中保护了他们的特权地位。相比之下，东盟并非由地区大国主导，经济一体化因东盟+3框架内区域外合作的收益而得以推进。各自的成员国出现问题，区域一体化陷入停滞。南方共同市场和南共体的案例研究证实，巴西和南非在过去 15 年中保护了他们的特权地位。相比之下，东盟并非由地区大国主导，经济一体化因东盟+3框架内区域外合作的收益而得以推进。