Conclusion Comparing Regional Cooperation and Defection in ASEAN, MERCOSUR and SADC

The extra-regional interests of the member states - especially of the regional powers - can indeed explain regional cooperation and defection in ASEAN, MERCOSUR in SADC.

This, in order to be applicable to developing regions, the classic integration theories need to include the extra-regional effects of regional integration into their reasoning. Neofunctionalists need to consider, whether and how spillover effects may result from the extra-regional logic of regional integration. Here, the question is how integration in one sector triggers integration in another one if the two sectors are not bound together by economic interdependence. Liberal intergovernmentalists need to shift their focus away from the intraregional towards the extra-regional interests of the regional member states. This is less of a problem, because it does not require to develop new elements of theory, but only a broadening of the scope of analysis. And institutionalists need to explore how the extra-regional logic of regional integration interacts with regional institution building. Possible questions are whether developing regions necessarily need the same institutional design like the EU or whether other forms of regional institutions are more adequate, and how these regional institutions gain strength if they do not govern about a highly interdependent regional market.