Beyond Dire Straits? Transnationalization and Renationalization in the Southern Growth Triangle

Abstract

In most parts of the world, governments are facing challenges from transnationalizing tendencies in economic and social life. The political impact of such tendencies, however, varies between regions and individual countries. In Europe, the management of transnational partnerships, business opportunities and infrastructural links entails a slow evolution of new institutions and organizations. In Asia Pacific, it is generally held that intergovernmental relations dominate. Governments in this region do not envisage political institutions specially adapted to transnationalization, nor do they seem to find them desirable.¹ It is in this light, however, that the growth triangle phenomenon becomes interesting.

Nothing can function in isolation. Everything reacts to its surroundings. What one entity does will affect others. This principle holds true for economic development. There is a link, for instance, between development and government.

Mahathir bin Mohamad, 1994