Functions, roles and form in international politics

Abstract

The paper contributes towards a better understanding of geographical levels in international politics. After a theoretical introduction, in which different approaches to the definition of geographical levels are compared, attention is focused on the functions of the regional level in the global political system. To this end the paper first discusses the work of the geographer Saul B. Cohen, and sets Cohen's views against those of a few other authors in the field. Some empirical data are introduced with regard to the assumed functions of geopolitical regions and the role of second-order power centers in channelling organized violence and warfare. The form of the groupings proposed by Cohen is roughly compared with the results of recent analyses of post-war patterns of trade and institutional links. Some major differences with Cohen's regions are apparent, and patterns for different policy areas do not always coincide. Judging from the available empirical data. there is no clear development towards a more salient role of regional power