Economic integration, both within Asia and around the world, has had a major impact on the economies of the Asia-Pacific. NAFTA, the European Union, and ASEAN have determined the course of foreign direct investment, development, trade and policy making throughout the region. The editors of this volume have chosen 14 articles that best represent their work in this area over the past decade. They examine the major issues and future course of integration and offer recommendations for the future success of developing economies in an increasingly dependent world. The book is divided into three sections. The first offers the reader an overview of the chapters and an historical review of ASEAN integration. The second section considers the effects on Asian countries of regional integration in Europe and North America. The final section considers integration within the Asian economies themselves. Together, they reveal a complex and varied series of causes and effects. It also leads to three important policy conclusions that will need to be considered in charting the course of regional economic development in the twenty-first century.
Researchers and students in Economics and international business and anyone interested in economic integration and Asian development will find this collection to be very useful.