After two centuries of nation-building, the world has entered an era of region-building in search of political stability, cultural cohesion, and socio-economic development. Nations involved in the regional structures and integration schemes that are emerging in most regions of the world are deepening their ambitions, with Europe''s integration experience often used as an experimental template or theoretical model. Volume I provides a political-analytical framework for recognizing the central role of the European Union not only as a conceptual model but also a normative engine in the global proliferation of regional integration. It also gives a comprehensive treatment of the focus, motives, and objectives of non-European integration efforts. Volume II offers a unique collection of documents that give the best available overview of the legal and political evolution of region-building based on official documents and stated objectives of the relevant regional groupings across all continents. Together, these volumes are important contributions for understanding the evolution of global affairs in an age when power shifts provide new challenges and opportunities for transatlantic partners and the world community.

After two centuries of nation-building, the world has entered an era of region-building in search of political stability, cultural cohesion, and socio-economic development. Nations involved in the regional structures and integration schemes that are emerging in most regions of the world are deepening their ambitions, with Europe’s integration experience often used as an experimental template or theoretical model. Volume I provides a political-analytical framework for recognizing the central role of the European Union not only as a conceptual model but also a normative engine in the global proliferation of regional integration. It also gives a comprehensive treatment of the focus, motives, and objectives of non-European integration efforts. Volume II offers a unique collection of documents that give the best available overview of the legal and political evolution of region-building based on official documents and stated objectives of the relevant regional groupings across all continents. Together, these volumes are important contributions for understanding the evolution of global affairs in an age when power shifts provide new challenges and opportunities for transatlantic partners and the world community.

Introduction: Framing the Issue

Chapter I: Globalization, Regionalism, Integration: Politics and Identity in the Age of the Market
Chapter II: Emulating the European Union? The Incomplete Model for Democratic Region-Building A Global Survey

Chapter  III: Latin America and the Caribbean: Between Regional Identity and Continental Aspirations

1. Central American Integration System (Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana, SICA)
2. Andean Community of Nations (Comunidad Andina de Naciones, CAN)
3. Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
4. Southern Common Market (Mercado Común del Sur, MERCOSUR)

Chapter   IV: Asia: Region-Building in a Continent that Isn’t  

1. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
2. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
3. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

Chapter V: Africa: Renaissance through Regionalism?

1. African Union (AU)
2. Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
3. Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Chapter VI: Pre-Integration in the Pacific Ocean

1. Pacific Islands Forum (PIC)

Chapter VII: De-Integration in Eurasia

1. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

Chapter VIII: Non-Integration in Regions with Geopolitical Tensions

1. The Northeast Asian Paradox: Success without Stability
2. The Broader Middle East Paradox: Stability without Success Context and Implications

Chapter IX: The European Union in the Global Proliferation of Regional Integration
Chapter X:  Democratic Governance, Regional Groupings and World Order
Chapter XI: Perspectives for Region-Building

Bibliography
Index
About the Author