Publication

The article offers a comparative study of the European and Asian integration processes. The EU is widely considered as a successful example of integration whereas Asian integration lags behind. However, according to the author, it would be mistaken to take the EU as a role model for Asia and to consider Asia's integration efforts a failure. The author argues that certain factors, such as a distinct cultural background, may direct Asia towards a different integration process than the one Europe has undergone. The report assesses China's role as leader in this process and examines the impact of Japan's economic recovery. The author anticipates that for the immediate future Asia's integration will remain limited to the economic level and that political integration is likely to continue on a bilateral basis.