THE GEOGRAPHIC CONCEPT OF REGION AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR STUDIES ON INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The present article aims to advance in the dialogue between Geography and International Relations, understanding the contribution of the geographic concept of region to studies on international issues. By understanding the establishment and/or transformations in the regions, through the regionalization process, we can understand the region as a political-territorial organization mechanism. Although the traditional theories of International Relations still tend to understand the region as a mere receptacle, in an a-spatial perspective, interest in the region is growing and proves to be necessary for understanding socio-spatial processes. Thus, the proposal presented in this work is to incorporate the necessary discussions about the region, consolidated in the theory of Geography, in the understanding of contemporary international issues, exemplifying with two case studies: the approach on the importance of geographic scales in international politics and the issue of the region in regional integration processes. 

KEYWORDS

Region; Regional Integration; Geography of International Relations