By Al Smith
Regional integration has been a popular strategy for countries seeking to enhance their economic, political, and social development. It is a process through which countries in a particular geographical region come together and form a union to promote mutual interests, trade, and cooperation. While some regional integration efforts have been successful, others have failed to achieve their objectives. The success and failure of regional integration have been attributed to various factors, including political will, economic disparities, cultural differences, and historical legacies (Izotov & Obydenkova, 2021).
Regional integration efforts’ relative success and failure significantly affect the international system. Successful regional integration can lead to increased trade, economic growth, and political stability, while failed integration can lead to increased conflict and political instability. Therefore, examining the factors contributing to the successes and failures of regional integration efforts is crucial.
“Regional integration” refers to the process through which nations within a specific geographic area work toward forming a more cohesive union or cooperative arrangement. The European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the African Union are all examples of organizations working for regional integration (Krapohl & Vasileva-Dienes,2020). These efforts aim to foster greater economic, political, and social integration among member states, increasing the member states’ combined sense of safety and well-being.
Regional integration is how countries in a specific geographical region band together to foster economic cooperation and integration in numerous areas. The success or failure of regional integration attempts is a critical area of study in international relations. This preliminary literature review aims to analyze existing research on regional integration efforts’ relative success and failure and identify gaps in the literature that might be addressed in a future study.
The level of political will and commitment among member nations is one of the primary elements determining the success or failure of regional integration projects. Regional integration is more likely to succeed with strong political leadership and dedication to the effort (Acharya & Johnston 2017). According to the authors, countries committed to regional integration are more likely to make the required policy adjustments and sacrifices for success. This is backed by the example of the European Union (EU), which has achieved a high level of economic and political integration thanks to strong political leadership and commitment on the part of its member states.
The level of economic growth among member states is another major aspect that impacts the success or failure of regional integration attempts. Regional integration is more likely to work when member countries have similar levels of economic growth (Baldwin & Jaimovich, 2012). According to the authors, when there is a considerable gap in economic development, the benefits of regional integration are unevenly distributed, leading to tensions and disputes among member countries. The case of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has struggled to achieve genuine integration due to large economic differences among its member nations, supports this.
The involvement of institutions is also a significant aspect in deciding whether regional integration attempts succeed or fail. According to Mattli and Sweet (2012), strong institutions capable of enforcing regional integration laws and regulations are crucial for success. According to them, poor institutions can lead to a lack of confidence among member states, undermining the efficiency of regional integration initiatives. This is confirmed by the example of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has struggled to achieve genuine integration due to the organization’s poor institutional architecture.
External factors are also important in impacting the success or failure of regional integration attempts in the literature. External influences, such as global economic trends, geopolitical developments, and changes in the international system, can considerably impact regional integration attempts. According to the authors, regional integration attempts well-aligned with global trends and geopolitical upheavals are more likely to succeed. This is confirmed by the example of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which has achieved a high level of economic integration due to its alignment with Russia’s geopolitical goals.
Despite existing research on the success and failure of regional integration projects, various gaps in the literature can be filled in future studies. There has been little research, for example, on the role of civil society and non-state actors in regional integration attempts. More research on the influence of regional integration on social and environmental issues is also required. Furthermore, there has been little research on the influence of regional integration on non-member states and the larger international system.
Finally, this assessment of preliminary literature emphasizes the relevance of political will, economic development, institutions, and external factors in influencing the success and failure of regional integration efforts. While there is now study on these issues, various gaps in the literature can be filled with future research. Understanding the success and failure of elements determining regional integration efforts is crucial for policymakers and scholars seeking to promote cooperation and integration in the international system.
About the Author
Al Smith is a Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, and Counter Terrorism Expert. Currently, he is a candidate for a Master of Arts in International Relations, and Global Security with a concentration in Conflict Resolutions at American Military University. He earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security from Colorado Technical University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security Emergency Management from Strayer University and an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Everest College. He has been certificated by the United States Department of Defense and other Agencies, He has been deployed twice with the Northern Alliance Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Mission, US Department of Defense.
