Gerber, David J. --- "Regionalization, Development and Competition Law: Exploring the Political Dimension" [2012] ELECD 897; in Drexl, Josef; Bakhoum, Mor; Fox, M. Eleanor; Gal, S. Michal; Gerber, J. David (eds), "Competition Policy and Regional Integration in Developing Countries" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2012)

Book Title: Competition Policy and Regional Integration in Developing Countries

Editor(s): Drexl, Josef; Bakhoum, Mor; Fox, M. Eleanor; Gal, S. Michal; Gerber, J. David

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781781004302

Section: Chapter 12

Section Title: Regionalization, Development and Competition Law: Exploring the Political Dimension

Author(s): Gerber, David J.

Number of pages: 20

Extract:

12. Regionalization, development and
competition law: exploring the
political dimension
David J. Gerber

1. INTRODUCTION
In discussions of the regionalization of competition law, the political
dimension often leads a shadowy existence. Regionalization tends to be
presented with a hint of a halo around it. States are presented as acting for a
shared policy objective intended to benefit all, and political issues often sit
uncomfortably with that image. This is particularly true when regionaliza-
tion involves `developing countries'. Here there is often a further level of
`common good' discourse. Regionalization is here portrayed not only as a
communal experience and goal, but also as one designed to reduce poverty
and aid economic development. Where regionalization involves compet-
ition law, an additional veil often lies across the discussions. Competition
law is about economics, it is said, and it serves the economic gains of the
participating countries. This tends to distance the enterprise from any
political factors. Each of these forms of discussion emphasizes safe, sani-
tized language and imagery.
Yet few would actually argue that the political dimension is not central to
the process of regionalization. A key issue, then, is how to view, analyse and
discuss the political dimension that everyone knows exists, but that many
find awkward or unpleasant to talk about. Finding a language for discussing
the political dimension thus takes on a central role.
In this chapter, some of the elements and factors that may be relevant to
such an effort are sketched. The focus is on the ...