open regionalism

international relations

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

Open regionalism is a concept in international relations that describes institutional arrangements promoting free trade and coordinated economic policies among countries in the same geographic region, without excluding or discriminating against non-member countries. This approach contrasts with "closed" regionalism, which can involve protectionist measures against outsiders.1

New regionalism, emerging after the Cold War, is characterized by more open regional organizations that encompass a wider range of policy objectives beyond just economics, including environmental and social issues. Mesoregionalism refers to cooperation within "regions within regions," forming intermediate levels of integration between macro-regions like the EU and smaller cross-border areas. These projects can be driven by economic or political rationales and may involve states or parts of states.23

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

economic regionalism
In “open” forms there are no elements of exclusion or discrimination against nonmembers. Trade liberalization and unconditional most-favoured-nation status, in compliance with Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), are characteristic features of open regionalism. The EU, NAFTA, and APEC contain many…
Read More
In “open” forms there are no elements of exclusion or discrimination against nonmembers. Trade liberalization and unconditional most-favoured-nation status, in compliance with Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), are characteristic features of open regionalism. The EU, NAFTA, and APEC contain many…
Read More