Концепции "старого" регионализма в контексте современной Европы

Abstract

In the article the author analyses the approaches to the phenomenon of regionalism in the second half of the XX century and the possibility of their application to the current events in contemporary Europe, more precisely, within the European Union. The pattern has been chosen based for several reasons. First of all, the EU itself is a regional organization. This means that it represents the emergence of regionalism at its highest level — as a form of international interstate cooperation. Secondly — the EU is a highly institutionalized organization and its institutions and mechanisms can be compared with those of a national state. Thus, there appears one of the most arguable questions of power distribution between the supranational and state bodies. Thirdly, the theoretical background of regional integration studies was quite developed in Europe. Finely, the very new level of interregional cooperation "new regionalism" is being developed within the framework of the European Union integration. The author believes that the concepts of "old regional studies" may be reconsidered in the European Union environment. According to the author, this approach can be possible when taking into consideration regions as such being components of states and not groups of states as it was considered in the analyzed concepts. It is stressed in the article that this phenomenon should not cause "alarm" in the European affairs; on the contrary, ways should be found to influence and control such a process. The author indicates that the trend cannot be stopped, therefore, it is necessary to find the most efficient way to cope with it. The compromise between regions, states and supranational institutions is the guarantee for further success of the European integration.