Regionalism in the Age of Polycrisis

Regionalism has long been a central phenomenon and research field in international studies, encompassing the processes of formation of world regions as well as the study of these same multilateral entities located between the national and the global levels of governance. As a multidimensional, plural and worldwide phenomenon, involving a broad range of policy fields, diverse actors and a variety of forms across the Global North and South, it has increasingly been studied through different approaches, greater theoretical dialogue and following a comparative perspective. While representing an important feature of world politics, in recent years regionalism has often been described as ‘in crisis’ or ‘under stress’ in several parts of the world. The proliferation of overlapping cross-border financial, health, migratory, democratic, security and climate challenges, during the past two decades or so, has severely tested regional integration and cooperation processes. In the age of ‘permanent emergency’, regions have become arenas of greater political contestation and politicization. Whereas growing populism and nationalism pose significant threats to regional projects, the multiplication of transnational challenges requires governance structures that transcend the nation-state as well as creates opportunities for innovation.

This research topic seeks to explore further the effects of the ongoing global polycrisis on regionalism, examining how the crises have been dealt with in different world regions and with what effects on regionalism. How has regional governance adjusted or transformed to address those pressing issues? Have those crises worked for undermining or strengthening regionalism? Are we seeing stronger elements of fragmentation and disintegration or, conversely, dynamics of resilience and even reinforcement of regional cooperation and integration? The aim is to produce an updated empirical assessment of those trends as well as reassess theoretical frameworks accounting for these dynamics, following a pluralistic and global approach that goes beyond the more studied experiences of the Global North.
More specifically, we invite contributions addressing (but not limited to) the following questions:
• How do regional organizations adapt to polycrisis conditions?
• What innovative governance mechanisms emerge in response to interconnected crises?
• How does polycrisis reshape power dynamics within and across regions?
• How do crises affect regional solidarity, identity and actorness?
• What lessons can be drawn from comparative regional responses to specific crises?
• What is the role of non-state actors in regional crisis governance?
• How do regional institutions balance local and global priorities?
• How have relations between regions (interregionalism) contributed to addressing contemporary challenges?
• What conceptual and methodological approaches are best suited to studying regionalism in a polycrisis era?

The scope of the research topic covers different policy areas (political, economic, social, security, environment, etc.), the distinct sub-fields of international studies (international political economy, international sociology, international security, international law, etc.) and is global in geographical terms. Both empirical (single case and comparative cross-regional studies) and theoretical works are welcome.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: regionalism, comparative regionalism, interregionalism, multilateralism, global governance, polycrisis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.