Regional Organisations and Security: Conceptions and Practices

Since the end of the Cold War, there has been an increased focus on regions as a relevant realm for security, with actors within regional contexts identifying a significant degree of interdependency between one another. As a consequence, international security has taken on a distinct regionally institutionalized character, as seen by the increase in calls for greater utilization of 'Chapter VIII: Regional Arrangements' of the UN, in order to create a devolved UN-led system of global security management. However, the idea of a system of global security management is a remote prospect, because divergence seems to be as important as commonality in terms of regional security. In light of the above, 'Regional Organizations and Security' analyzes the primary ROs that are active in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, the Middle East, and South America. The findings of individual case studies are compiled to highlight disparities and similarities in how security is seen, prioritized, understood, practised, managed, and implemented across regions. On this basis, the authors reach conclusions about whether we live in an increasingly globalized or regionally distinct world, and go on to assess the prospects for a globalized system of security management and consider how this might be developed and organized.