Lyceum of the Philippines University - Cavite

College of Arts and Sciences

Social Sciences Department

COURSE MODULE
ON
TCWN01G
THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

DAN JEFFERSON B. LOPEZ, MA, MPA, LPT

Module Writer
 MODULE 3
WORLD OF REGIONS

The Contemporary World (TCWN01G)

1
 MODULE 3
World of Regions

Module Description:
This module will help the learners understand how regionalization and globalization are
related and different to one another, define important key terms, the concept of global divides, as
well as the contemporary challenges to regionalism.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:
 Define and differentiate regionalization, globalization, and regionalism.
 Understand the concept of global divides as well as the importance of regionalization and
regionalism.
 Identify examples of regional organizations.
 Identify and analyze the contemporary challenges to regionalism.

Key Terms
regionalization global divides
regionalism regional organizations

Regionalization and Globalization

Although globalization has brought the countries together, but it also pushed some
regions to organize regional cooperation and integration to cope up with the demands and
problems caused by it. In this case, regionalization has become a necessary process for countries
in the same region in order to prevent the negative effects of globalization.
 Region - a group of countries situated in the same geographical area or may be a
combination of two or more regions organized to oversee policy-making and decisions.
(Claudio and Abinales, 2018)

 Regionalization – it refers to “regional concentration of economic flows.” (Claudio and

Abinales, 2018:51)

The Contemporary World (TCWN01G)

2
 Regionalism – a political process characterized by economic policy cooperation and
coordination among countries. (Claudio and Abinales, 2018:51)
 Regional Organization - an organization, the members (participants) of which are national
bodies (organizations) for standardization of the states included in the same geographical
region of the world and (or) a group of countries undergoing the process of economic
integration according to international treaties. (Federal Law on Technical Regulation, No.
184-FZ, Russian Federation, 2002)

Some examples of regional organizations:

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
European Union (EU)
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
African Union (AU)
Organization of American States (OAS)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

In-Text-Activity

Watch and Learn!

 Watch the following video clips for additional understanding of regionalization and
regionalism:

Globalization vs. Regionalization - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqWzLWZKVB8

Regionalism vs. Globalization - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBhvFxOVA3Q

 Research about additional explanation about the difference between regionalization and
regionalism. Use proper citation/ referencing for your sources.

 Create a matrix describing the profile and purpose of five (5) regional organizations.

The Contemporary World (TCWN01G)

3
Global Divides
While it is true that globalization helps countries to have development, global
interconnectedness and more opportunities for growth, it also put demarcation between rich and
poor; developed and developing states; first, second, and third worlds; and global north and
global south.

Source: https://www.rgs.org

What is the meaning of Global Divides?

 Global Divides – it refers to the idea of global equalities by which the world is being
categorized or divided into socio-economic and political classifications as global south-
global north, developing-developed countries, and first, second, and third worlds.

Rich countries Global North Developed First and Second

Worlds
Poor countries Global South Developing Third World

 Download and read a short guide lesson about the Global North/ South Divide at
https://www.rgs.org/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?nodeguid=9c1ce781-9117-4741-af0a-
a6a8b75f32b4&lang=en-GB

The Contemporary World (TCWN01G)

4
In-Text-Activity

Watch and Learn!

 Watch the video clip about Global North-South Divides at https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=NRivQdsrYYE

 Identify the countries which are being labeled according to the idea of Global Divides
(North-South/ Developed-Developing/ First-Second-Third Worlds). Give ten (10) examples
for each category. Write your answer on a one whole yellow paper.

 How do you feel about the concept of Global Divides? What do you think is the negative
impact of having Global Divides? Express your answer by posting your 200-word comment
on the online forum at the course site/ submitting a printed copy of it.

Contemporary Challenges to Regionalism

Claudio and Abinales (2018) mentioned that some contemporary challenges to
regionalism are:
1. Resurgence militant nationalism and populism
2. Sovereignty vs. regional stability
3. Differences in visions of regionalism
For further understanding, below are some essential readings about regionalization and
regionalism:
 Read the article written by Bennett Collins entitled, Does Regionalism Challenge
Globalization or Build Upon It? at https://www.e-ir.info/pdf/4704

 Read the ADB’s article about Regional Cooperation and Integration in a Changing World at
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/30224/regional-cooperation-changing-
world.pdf

Summary:
Regionalization has become a necessary process for countries in the same region in order
to prevent the negative effects of globalization. While it is true that globalization helps countries
to have development, global interconnectedness and more opportunities for growth, it also put
demarcation between rich and poor; developed and developing states; first, second, and third
worlds; and global north and global south. Some contemporary challenges to regionalism are
The Contemporary World (TCWN01G)
5
resurgence militant nationalism and populism, sovereignty vs. regional stability, and differences
in visions of regionalism.

Self-Assessment

Identification. Identify the term being described by each item. Write your answer on the space
provided.
_______________1. It is a group of countries situated in the same geographical area or may be a
combination of two or more regions organized to oversee policy-making and decisions.
_______________2. It refers to “regional concentration of economic flows.”
_______________3. It is an organization, the members (participants) of which are national
bodies (organizations) for standardization of the states included in the same geographical region
of the world and (or) a group of countries undergoing the process of economic integration
according to international treaties.
_______________4. It is a political process characterized by economic policy cooperation and
coordination among countries.
_______________5. It refers to the idea of global equalities by which the world is being
categorized or divided into socio-economic and political classifications as global south-global
north, developing-developed countries, and first, second, and third worlds.

Enumeration.
(1-3) Give three (3) contemporary challenges to regionalism.
1.
2.
3.
(4-5) Give examples of global divides
4.
5.
(6-10) Give five (5) examples of regional organizations.
6.
7.

The Contemporary World (TCWN01G)

6
8.
9.
10.

Activity

Category 1 (Wired): Infographic on the Challenges of Globalization and Regionalization

The students will prepare an infographic promoting awareness on the effects of
globalization and regionalization, highlighting the challenges and opportunities they pose to the
Philippines as part of the Global South. They must ensure clarity, effective use of colors, and
plain language to make it appealing to common folk and the youth. They can either use
Microsoft Office applications or other online editing services such as Canva, PicsArt, etc. The
infographic will be posted on the students’ social media accounts like Facebook.

Category 2 (Non-Wired): Argumentative Essay

Write a 1000-word article about the positive and negative impacts of regionalism. Use
proper citation/ referencing and avoid plagiarism. Submit a printed copy of your work.

REFERENCES:

Claudio, L. & Abinales, P. (2018). The Contemporary World. C&E Publishing.

Saluba, D., Carlos, A., Cuadra, J., Damilig, A., Corpuz, R., Endozo, M., Pascual, M.,
Hermogenes, M., and Capacio, J., (2018). In Hernandez, M. (Ed.). The Contemporary
World. Panday-Lahi Publishing House, Inc.

Online Sources:
https://www.rgs.org
https://ec.europa.eu

The Contemporary World (TCWN01G)

7
The Contemporary World (TCWN01G)
8