Transnational Identity and Regional Integration

European integration is characterized by the development of a transnationalEuropean identity, which is considered an integral part of the process. NortheastAsia has no similar projects to address the common identity issue, althoughcooperation is highly valued there as well. Identity and cooperation both requireinterdisciplinary approaches combining social psychology, international relationstheory and international economics. This article considers the problems of applyingexisting studies on cooperation and identity as well as the European experience(with the Baltic Sea example) to the case of Northeast Asia. Transnationalidentities promote cooperation beyond the limits of rationalistic game theory, ifcountries of the region can define their identities and interests, commit to commongoals, create shared discourses and reach a balance between nationalism andinternationalism. In view of proposed negotiations on the free trade area betweenChina, Korea and Japan and ongoing discussions about a possibility of introducinga common currency (ACU) it can be crucial to consider the importance of identitybuilding as early as possible, before regional integration meets a stumbling blockof egoistic rationality that is a problem in any model of cooperation.