This is the first of four volumes reporting on the UNU-WIDER project on new regionalism. It deals with the conceptions and meanings of two processes which probably will have a crucial influence on the shape of the "new world order"--globalization and regionalization. They relate to each other as challenge to response, globalization being the challenge of economic and cultural homogenization of the world and regionalization being a social and political reaction. The leading writers in the field contribute thought-provoking and fascinating articles to this volume.

The completion of the Uruguay round promised a new era in international trading relations. However, there remains a wide range of issues which could threaten international trading stability, including regionalisation and regionalism, increased non-tariff forms of protection and the proliferation of unilateral and bilateral trade deals. This work assesses both the immediate impact of the GATT deal and the future of the world trading system. It concludes with an assessment of the long-term possibilities for creating a mutually beneficial world economic system.

This is the first of five volumes reporting on the UNU-WIDER study on New Regionalism. It deals with the conceptions and meanings of two processes which probably will have a crucial influence on the shape of the 'new world order' - globalization and regionalization. These studies relate to each other as challenge to response, globalization being the challenge of economic and cultural homogenization of the world and regionalization being a social and political reaction. The leading writers in the field contribute thought-provoking and fascinating articles to this volume.