REGIONAL INTEGRATION: CONTRIBUTION OR HINDRANCE TO EVOLUTION?

A Seminar Paper Presentation by: ERIC WAGOBERA JUNIOR (Reg.No: MIRD/43004/2016)

DEFINING REGIONAL INTEGRATION:

Regional integration is described as the activities that nation states engage in to pursue a common goal by willingly agreeing to “mingle, merge and mix with their neighbors” so as to acquire new procedures for conflict resolution and also maintain peace (Haas & Ernst 1971).

De Lombaerde (2007) also defines it as a global phenomenon comprised of territorial arrangements put in place to increase the level of state-to-state interaction and this eventually leads to the formation of regional organizations.

Generally, regional integration has been perceived as a process where nation states within a given geographical area intensify their level of interaction to address mutually shared concerns related to common political, social, economic, cultural and security matters (Ginkel & Langenhove, 2003).

THE INFLUENCE OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION

Nation-states are willing to commit

themselves to share their resources and

sovereignty with other states.

It’s characterized by elimination of

barriers seen as a hindrance to the

pursuit of common goals, i.e. trade

tariffs, and travel restrictions.

Regional groupings set policies that

regulate activities of member states.

States act within the framework of their regional alliances.

States are driven by the need to achieve political

& socio-economic development while aiming for unlimited

access to global markets & resources.

Every part of the globe is now under

some sort of regional grouping, i.e. AU, EU,

OAS, ASEAN, PIF, ACD, etc

THEORIES OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION

Four theories help us to understand the role and expectations of regional integration structures and to know if the groupings have anything in common with these theoretical assumptions. Functionalism: It offers a liberal explanation as to how the states’ loss

of sovereignty triggers the global integration process with a primary focus on the common interests shared by the state and non-state actors. Global peace & development can be attained through cooperation by international agencies without state involvement. Such bondage arouses mass participation in the integration process.

Neofunctionalism: Assumes that the elimination of trade barriers stimulates interdependent states to cooperate through the involvement of certain sectors in the integration process. Subsequently, the benefits from one sector will spill over to the other sectors and hence speed up the integration process which will eventually culminate into a supranational body with a central government such as the European Union.

THEORIES OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION

Rational Choice Institutionalism: Explains the systematic role of institutions created by actors to pursue politico-economic agendas. Eventually, these institutions set policies that guide the integration process. It also examines how such institutions are created, and the role they play in advancing the actors’ interests towards regional integration. These institutions emerge due to actors’ interdependence, strategic interaction, and collective action.

International federalism: States identify areas where their interests merge and then decide to work together to pursue common goals such as enhancing regional security and peace or achieving economic development. Along the way, policies are set to draw both states’ efforts towards achieving a common agenda. Such structures have eventually evolved into supranational federal states like the EU.

INTEGRATION AS THE MEANS FOR DECOLONIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Since 1960’s, regional integration efforts have been spearheaded by the OAU/AU. There are four smaller regional groupings, i.e. EAC, ECOWAS, IGAD, CEN-SAD, ECCAS and SADC.Contributions of OAU towards the evolution of Africa include;Promoting peace & security on the continent by intervening to end civil wars. It

has sent peacekeeping forces to Liberia, Ivory Coast, Somalia, and Darfur. Ensuring credible elections to promote democratic governance by sending

election observers in national elections. Improved economic relations between Africa and the world’s economic giants.

This has led to increased funding of dev’t projects and investments. Promotion of gender equality by empowering women’s participation in politics.

Similarly, it has spearheaded the protection of children’s rights, i.e. the Day of the African Child meant to defend the rights and interests of African children.

INTEGRATION AS THE MEANS FOR DECOLONIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Improved trade among African states through the Preferential Trade Area for East and Southern Africa that eliminated barriers to trade, also inspired the founding of COMESA.

Financial evolution through the African Development Bank, the African Export-Import Bank, and the PTA Bank. They have supported Africa’s development & growth through funding mega infrastructural projects & bailing out several African financial institutions caught up in financial crises.

It led to the mass decolonization of African states through the Pan-African movement. It also facilitated the coordination and harmonization of democratic policies of new member states to help them achieve full statehood.

The AU has well-established organs that have helped to execute most of its duties. Some of them include, the Pan African Parliament, the Justice and Human Rights Institution, the Peace and Security Council, and the African Court of Justice

EUROPE AS THE FRONTRUNNER OF GLOBAL INTEGRATION EFFORTS

Europe’s integration system serves as the model for regional integration around the world. There’s been both a political, economic, legal, industrial, social and cultural evolution everywhere in Europe. Institutions have been key to achieving a fully integrated Europe, i.e. EU, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, European Banking Authority, European Free Trade Association (EFTA), European Coal and Steel Community, the European Aviation Safety Agency, European Economic Community (EEC).Successes of the EUFully functional bodies that assist in integration process; European Parliament,

European Commission, Court of Justice of the European Union, European Investment Bank, European Economic and Social Committee, European Central Bank (ECB).

EUROPE AS THE FRONTRUNNER OF GLOBAL INTEGRATION EFFORTS

Achieving full economic integration through removal of trade barriers, free movement of people & their goods/services, and the launch of a single customs market.

Launch of a common currency the Euro used in 21 member states. This has helped to eliminate unstable exchange rates while making it easier for cross-border trade across Europe and around the world.

Peace and stability: Europe used to be a hotbed of wars, now it is the most peaceful region in the world. In 2012, the EU won the Nobel Peace Prize award in recognition for its role in addressing the issues of human rights, security, peace, and conflict resolution in Europe and around the world.

The EU is about to achieve a political union and there are democratic mechanisms to realize this, i.e. the European parliament which is the legislative arm of the union and a medium for participating in political debates and decision-making. At the moment, the EU implements some external commitments of its member states through the Foreign Affairs Council.

The EU has registered tremendous success in both economic growth, justice and human rights, peace and security, democracy and the elimination of barriers to trade and human movement.

REGIONAL INTEGRATION EFFORTS IN CONTINENTAL ASIA

A number of regional organizations have sought to unite Asian member states with an aim of pursuing common interests. These include the Arab League, Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Gulf Cooperation Council, Shanghai Cooperation Organization among others. The Association of South East Asia Nations • It established the ASEAN Free Trade Area and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)

which have improved trade among member states thereby eliminating internal trade barriers to facilitate the free movement of resources across the region.

• ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) which acts as a multilateral consultative forum aimed at building trust amongst its members and has fostered social and political cooperation.

• In the mid-20th century, the region was at the height of many wars and hostility including the US-Vietnam war, now it’s among the most peaceful and economically prosperous, thanks to its slogan “One Vision One Identity One Community”

ASSESSING INTEGRATION EFFORTS IN THE AMERICAS

With more than 10 active regional groupings in the Americas, the region is described as the hotbed of integration. Examples include; Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Union of South American States (UNASUR), the North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA), Organization of the American States (OAS), etc. The Organization of American States • World’s oldest regional organization, was founded to promote solidarity and

to defend the sovereignty of its member states. It has helped to reinforce the peace and security in the Americas, promoted the basic values of democracy and human rights, and also facilitated conflict prevention.

• Fully functional bodies to assist in its integration agenda: the Inter-American Juridical Committee, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, etc.

ASSESSING INTEGRATION EFFORTS IN THE AMERICAS

• Promoting the respect for human rights. Founded the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in 1959, signed the American Convention on Human Rights in 1969, later established the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 1979 to serve as an adjudicatory and advisory judicial institution on human rights issues.

• Established the Alliance of Progress which has improved economic ties between the USA and Latin America. US annual aid to Latin American states nearly tripled from $1.4 billion in early 1960’s to $3.3 billion in late 1960’s.

• The Inter-American Development Bank has financially supported the region’s socio-economic development by providing low-interest loans to governments of borrowing member states. These loans have improved livelihoods in terms of infrastructure development and improved water and sanitation especially in Haiti.

ASSESSING INTEGRATION EFFORTS IN THE AMERICAS

• Promotion of democracy and peace: It has advocated for free and fair elections including sending election observers to monitor elections in its member states. It also sent special missions to support peace processes in countries with conflicts like Suriname, Guatemala, and Haiti.

• The formation of Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission in 1986 to fight against the illegal cross-border drug trade.

• Improved livelihoods through the Inter-American Council for Integral Development which has greatly organized resources to fight poverty and promote cooperation among its member states to achieve economic and social development.

• The contribution of the OAS to evolution has been significant as exemplified by the strides it has made to improve livelihoods as far as human rights, trade, development, cultural, democracy and economic integration are concerned.

EVALUATING REGIONAL INTEGRATION AS AN EVOLUTION TOOL

They have put in place mechanisms that have fostered a rapid economic growth. Initiatives like the customs union, single currency, trade liberalization, free movement of human, goods & services, and the increased financial support to developing member states.

They’ve established structures that enforce the respect for human rights and this has made member states become accountable for their human rights violations and on many occasions, they’ve condemned human rights abuses in member states and others have established human rights courts to adjudicate and investigate human rights issues.

Promotion of democratic governance and transparent elections, e.g. the AU has enforced responsibility among African governments practice transparent politics which has led to a decrease in dictatorial tendencies and any leader that attempts to rule by the iron fist is dealt with by the regional grouping, i.e. in the case of Ivory Coast and Kenya which prevented bloodshed.

EVALUATING REGIONAL INTEGRATION AS AN EVOLUTION TOOL

Credited for fostering friendly relations among nation states by serving as a forum for peaceful dialogues that have helped to settle disputes, and thus preventing unnecessary wars.

Improved global security efforts through collective security. The world is becoming secure and peaceful thanks to the joint efforts by regional organizations in joining resources to combat global terrorism and interstate wars. Many of them maintain a standby peacekeeping force to intervene in civil conflicts and ensure that peace prevails, i.e. AMISOM, ECOMOG, etc.

Helped to achieve balance of power and leverage in global politics. Closed the gap between strong and weak nations (or developed and developing nations). Without regional integration, weaker states would be voiceless and hence side-lined.

These efforts are expected to lead us into full political integration when the current groupings become supranational political units and the EU is currently leading in this.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The world is achieving economic growth at a faster pace than ever before.

Regional groupings are leading the efforts to unite the world by executing tasks and duties that traditionally belonged to the states.

Brought about improved interchange of cultures, transfer of resources and ideologies thus making the world a borderless global village.

States are demonstrating a willingness to cede their sovereignty as an indication that regional integration is the right way to go as exemplified by the European Union.

They’ve brought together people of different ideologies on one forum to deliberate on hard issues and get to agree to take the same path without fighting each other.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONPeople prefer living in a limitless environment of endless possibilities and where

they are able to utilize their efforts to full potential and that is why regional integration has been highly embraced almost everywhere.

We have an obligation to spread the positive message of hope about regional integration so that it can be wholly embraced.

There’s no doubt that every part of the world under a regional grouping has achieved a considerable level of success in both political, economic, cultural and social progress.

Where the state has failed, regional groupings have done even better, the provision of collective security, accessibility to a wider market and a forum for settling disputes, what else could we ask for? Regional integration has proved beyond facts that it is the new genesis or era of evolution of humanity for the positive cause.

END OF THE PRESENTATION…

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