Regional integration has become commonplace in the world economy. Moreover, there is clear evidence of a ‘trade first’ approach to regionalism. What is the logic behind this approach? Is it that trade integration prepares the ground for monetary integration by helping to fulfil optimum...

Two features of East Asia?s recovery from the financial turmoil of 1997-98 appear to be rather paradoxical. First, the regional economies (except Hong Kong, China and Malaysia) have allowed a relatively greater albeit modest degree of variability of their currencies according to market...

The East Asian financial crisis has spawned a number of proposals for institutional reform. Some envisage reforming existing institutions, particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while others suggest that new institutions are needed. Amongst them is the idea of establishing an Asian...

The concept of globalisation has received a great deal of popular attention in recent years. However, the term is often used quite loosely. When defined to mean closer international economic integration, the evidence shows that the extent of globalisation may easily be exaggerated. This article...