By Gavin Mowat

Is it just me, or do the EU, North American Free Trade Area (FTA), and the East Asian FTA look like the beginnings of the three superstates Eurasia, Oceania and Eastasia featured in the book 1984?

As the world's economy becomes more regionalized under an ever increasing list of acronyms, we can't help but draw similarities to author George Orwell's nightmare depiction of a dystopia.

Yet the similarity is flimsy at best, ending almost before it begins in geographical likeness.

The fictional superstates and their real life counterparts are made up of countries and re-gions that are more or less the same, give or take.

However, in 1984 the three superstates form out of perpetual war with each other, something that can't be compared with today.

In 2009 blocs are forming to ensure the free movement of goods, services, people and capital between countries and regions. The very essence of today's "economic blocs" demands a certain level of cooperation between both partners and competitors.

Recent comments by the Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama about an East Asian Community (EAC) receiving support from the Chinese, and the EU ratifying the Lisbon Treaty and being about to install its first president both demonstrate this.

Motivated by a presumed need for self-preservation in the face of a perceived threat, countries once sought solace in cooperation with allies.

But unlike in 1984, in 2009 countries no longer seem to be restricted to forging partnerships with nations of similar political ideology; instead the universal constant of the economy seems to be the driving force.

Comments made by Japan's PM and the Chinese response are a good example of this. According to the Xinhua News Agency, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama "said his govern-ment would promote the long-term idea of an EAC modeled on the EU with a common cur-rency."

The official Chinese response from Jiang Yu, Foreign Ministry spokesman, was re-soundingly positive. Jiang said it is the long-term goal to establish an EAC to boost economic and social development in the region. This is a far cry from 1984 where co-operation was orchestrated by suspicion and domination.

From an Asian perspective , nationalism seems to have given way to cooperation based on promoting lasting peace, boosting sustainable, coordinated economic and social development.

A need for cooperation, prosperity and peace for all people seems to trump political ideology when it comes to economic progress.

Similarly the EU was founded on the back of an already established European Community, which in itself was based on supranationalism and international law, designed to help the economy of Europe and prevent future war by "EU member states."

If as Hatoyama says, the EAC is to be based on the EU model, including the use of a common currency, then the future of the East Asia region will see some momentous changes that will ultimately transform it beyond recognition.

However, people might see the strong national identities of East Asian countries as a barrier to regional unity. After all, the people of Asia have fought bitter wars against each other in the past.

Moreover, strong national identities once tore Europe apart. A pointless World War I, fought by arrogant and power-hungry leaders, was followed by another fought because of gross mistreatment of the losers who consequently turned to ultranationalism as their savior.

More than 60 years on and now there is a group of 25 European countries which have abolished all border controls, and 27 countries are now willing to stand united under one president.

Now a decision on the identity of the EU's first president looms, with names like fomer UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy being thrown into the mix.

Blair seems to have limited support from those who wish the EU president to be a "big hitter" on the global stage, while those who would rather see an effective manager take the reins are more inclined to back Van Rompuy.

Some are adamant that Blair is a warmonger who circumvents the democratic process, but even his fiercest critics would struggle to compare him to 1984's "Big Brother" character who was president of one of the superstates. So regardless who gets the job this week, the future remains bright by comparison.

East Asia has seen wars and foreign invasion contributing to instability and economic stagnation in the region, but like Europe, East Asia is beginning to flourish into the prosperous region it is destined to be.

Nations are beginning to push forward a positive agenda for cooperation, and ultimately unity.

Put in global context, this might ostensibly look like Orwell's dystopian vision but will hopefully be closer to a utopia of the new century.

The author is a Beijing-based journalist. gav_mowat@hotmail. Com