On the leadership of great power in regional economic cooperation: Theory,case and implications

Because of state actor's bounded rationality,regional integration for institutional cooperation usually encounter double troubles in treaty making and compliance. But in a regional system with a heterogeneous distribution of power, countries participating in collective negotiation for integration will differentiate into three kind including leader(s), followers and free riders, in which the great power seeking leadership will offer credible deterrence to free-riding and treachery by small countries. So the authority of the treaty can be guaranteed. This paper will demonstrate the logic of great power's leadership and the unbalanced approach of regional integration by means of theoretical and empirical research after set up a model of heterogeneous collective activity and a model of social action. Conclusions in this paper can inspire China to participate regional integration and make geopolitical strategy effectively. © 2023 World Regional Studies. All rights reserved.