The Quest for Regional Integration in the Twenty First Century (PB)

A political economy study by J. M. Biswaro on the prospects and challenges of regional integration in Africa and beyond. In the last five decades, the world has witnessed dramatic changes: the Cold War has ended, and geopolitical relations among the major powers have been generally stable. The demise of colonialism has allowed newly independent countries to play a greater role in the international arena, and countries that used to be foes have now joined hands to develop their economies. Opponents of integration argue that it is a guise for exploiting people in developing countries, while proponents point to significantly reduced poverty in countries that have adopted economic integration, such as China, India, Vietnam, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, and Tanzania. Biswaro asks how far those promoting regional integration in Africa should look to the EU as a model, and whether regional and global integration can proceed harmoniously. The book builds on his earlier Perspectives on Africa’s Integration and Cooperation from OAU to AU. Biswaro served on the Presidential Task Force when Tanzania chaired the AU between 2008 and 2009. Paperback edition.