India and South Asia in the world: on the embeddedness of regions in the international system and its consequences for regional powers

Abstract

Regions and the regional powers that characterize them stand in multiple inter-relations with the world system. Yet, theories of International Relations struggle with the conceptualization of this global-regional nexus. This article introduces an analytical tool that allows for the evaluation of the ‘embeddedness’ of regions into the international system and its consequences for a regional power in ‘its’ region. The theoretical tool shows in particular that regional powers do not necessarily have an inherent interest in ‘their’ region and its stabilization or, in general, the provision of public goods. Instead, global interests can prevail. Thus, the decision to engage positively in the region is one that does not automatically follow from relative preponderance as it is assumed by many analysts of regional powerhood in the case study chosen here, South Asia, and across the globe. The applicability of this analytical tool is illustrated with the help of two specific examples – India's conflict management in Sri Lanka and its role in the democratization process in Nepal.