A Sociology of Regions –Institutions, Identities and AsianIntegration.
Dennis McNamara, Georgetown University

Global Institute for Asian Regional Integration (GIARI) Summer Institute
Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS), Waseda University, Tokyo
4 August 2011*

Abstract:
Institutions, ideas and goals, and identities provide critical markers for regional integration.
Despite the flurry of meetings and committees, the rapid consolidation of the East Asian region
has left us with few robust institutions to date. Thus studies of the East Asian region often
provide only statistical profiles of trade and investment, or chronologies of cross-borderagreements. A Sociology of regions would turn attention to the structuring of cross-bordercooperation within institutions, and to their links within networks. The robust role of states in theeconomic development of the nations of Northeast Asia would suggest also the need for close
attention to state-society dynamics in regionalization efforts.
I begin with state and society in East Asian integration, outline a Sociology of Regions, and thenintroduce three areas of recent research – production networks, consumer networks, andknowledge networks. To exemplify a sociological focus, I offer a brief analysis of innovation inthe region, looking to systems of innovation. In conclusion, I return to the elements of aSociology of Regions.
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