A Comparative Perspective on Northeast Asian Regional Consciousness: The Impact of a Common Destiny on Collective Identity

　　Abstract: Regional consciousness refers to the collective identity of states within some geographical boundary towards that region. Research on the formation and development of regional consciousness is useful for better understanding of the prospects for regional cooperation. This article borrows and builds from revisionist theories of constructivism to propose an analytical framework for understanding the factors that impact collective identity. It focuses on how common destinies impact consciousness, and especially on how common destinies cause the formation and evolution of regional consciousness in Northeast Asia. On the basis of this discussion, it also makes a simple comparison of regional consciousness in Northeast Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia, considering the different levels of consciousness in each. This works to both test the analytical framework and apply it to understand why regional consciousness is so low in Northeast Asia.

　　Author: Zhang Du is Master Student in the School of International Relations of Peking University