10. Regional Convergence in a Diverse World

Study

Drawing on the comparative case studies in previous chapters, chapter 10 brings the reader's attention to four important observations. First, regionalism and the increasing integration of nation-states are a driving force in both domestic and international politics. Second, despite the great diversity of conditions found in developing countries, a cluster of common economic problems persist, including extensive and often debilitating poverty, fundamental vulnerability to external forces beyond the control of any single country, and the continuing legacy of unsustainable external debt. Third, explanations of political processes in developing countries should recognize the historical tension and social strain arising from the interaction of the forces of modernity and traditionalism in virtually every society. Finally, chapter 10 emphasizes an important characteristic distinguishing the forms of political organization witnessed in different countries. Over centuries societies have experimented with a variety of political institutions designed for governing. Consequently, the world's political systems reflect a common set of basic institutional choices, such as presidential or parliamentary government, constitutional monarchy or traditional monarchy, or even the distinction between federal and unitary divisions of authority. These basic forms of governance also show the varying degrees to which formal political institutions affect political processes by influencing, determining, and sanctioning human behavior.

Perhaps the most fundamental conclusion emerging from the chapter is that studying politics in a comparative perspective can illuminate for students and practitioners the diversity and, more important, the patterns of commonality in the politics, the economics, and the social forces witnessed across the globe. Such commonality emerging from diversity reminds us that we share in the challenges and successes of other societies.

Review Questions

After reading chapter 10, students should be able to answer the following questions:

  1. Describe the patterns of regionalism affecting different parts of the globe.


  2. Compare and contrast regionalism in Europe and regionalism in the Western Hemisphere.


  3. What basic problems continue to affect developing countries?


  4. In what significant ways might life in the United States be dependent on events occurring outside the country's borders?


  5. What challenges does the interaction of modernity and traditionalism create in society?