Regionalism in the South Caucasus from a theoretical perspective : is the South Caucasus a region?

This article will attempt to shed light on the question of whether the South Caucasus is a region, and whether the nature of this regionalism is sufficiently established I to serve as the starting point of broader processes
such as regional cooperation and integration. These questions will be answered with reference to the existing
literature on regionalism. Notwithstanding the fact that the literature on regionalism is to some extent inconsistent
and excessively abstract, the minimal and maximal criteria established are adequate to measure the regional
dynamic of the South Caucasus. On their own, the minimal criteria are not sufficient to deepen regionalism to the
extent of integration. Based on the application of existing theories on regionalism, the article concludes that the
South Caucasus as a sub-region of the broader Caucasus has weak regional characteristics, which cannot provide
the basis of any further integration. The components required for integration or a deeper level of regionalism are
apparently absent in this region.