THE GCC: ATTEMPTS AT SUB-REGIONALISM IN THE PERSIAN GULF?

Abstract

Regionalism plays the significant role to shape the world order. In one hand globalisation attracts attention in the study of world politics, on the other, regionalism considers regions as the basic element of world politics. However, it is still difficult to conceptualise region as scholars divide whether geographical proximity or cognitive and ideational factors or both perceptions form a region. Under such backdrop, this paper will epitomize the formation of an international organisation by six Persian Gulf countries in the form of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). These countries have a similar religious view, geographical proximity as well as similar objectives with joint destiny. Since its establishment, the GCC remains an instrumental actor of the region’s political and economic landscape although its performance is criticised and often branded as a failed or incomplete integration of states. Therefore, the paper enumerates the reasons behind the GCC’s regionalism. Analysing the security issues and socio-economic affairs, the paper points out the main challenges faced by the organisation and offers policy implications in brief.