Dr Christopher M Dent

Dr Christopher M Dent
University of Leeds, UK

The Economic Geography of Regionalisation in East Asia and Europe

Abstract:

The density of regionalised economic activity in significantly high in both East Asia and Europe. This so called ‘regionalisation’ derives from various transnational business and infrastructural linkages that have deepened in both regions over time. Intra-regional trade and investment flows in Europe and East Asia have not only increased but also have become more systemically integrated, mainly through the expansion of international production and distribution networks. These networks represent an important micro-level foundation to regional integration in East Asia and Europe on which state-led projects of regionalism (e.g. Single European Market, ASEAN Free Trade Area) have been built. Conversely, these projects have further spurred the development of international production networks, thus suggesting a symbiotic relationship.
International production networks are also inextricably linked with the economic zonal development of East Asia and Europe. Core urban-industrial zones of development (e.g. industrial districts, metropolitan conurbations, transborder ‘growth polygons’, development corridors) may be considered the most important network nodes of economic development in both regions. Linkages within and between these core zones are fundamental features of East Asia and Europe’s economic geography.
This paper examines the economic geography of regionalisation in East Asia and Europe, concentrating on micro-level developments in regional integration. It analyses the reasons behind the growth of international production networks in both regions and also the zonal dimension to their regional economic development. Contrasts and comparisons between East Asia and Europe are made therein, as well as how both regions are inter-connected through certain global production network linkages.

Biographical notes:

Dr Christopher M. Dent is Senior Lecturer in the East Asian Economy in the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Leeds, UK. His research interests centre on the international political economy of East Asia and the Asia-Pacific. He is more specifically interested in new trade policy developments in the Asia-Pacific; the foreign economic policies of Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan; East Asian developing countries, multilateralism and globalisation; East Asia’s economic relations with the European Union; and theories of international economic security. 

Published books include New Free Trade Agreements in the Asia-Pacific (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006), Asia-Pacific Economic and Security Co-operation (editor, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003); The Foreign Economic Policies of Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2002); Northeast Asian Regionalism: Learning from the European Experience (co-editor, London: RoutledgeCurzon, 2002); The European Union and East Asia: An Economic Relationship (London: Routledge, 1999); The European Economy: The Global Context (London: Routledge, 1997). Christopher Dent is also author of around 50 academic articles and other papers, and is currently writing a book under the working title of ‘East Asian Regionalism’. He has acted as a consultant advisor to the British and United States Governments, and European Commission on trade issues, as well an invited speaker at conferences and other events in Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa and Oceania. Christopher Dent is also an Expert (Brains Trust) member of the Evian Group.

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