Movements towards regional integration across the globe have a long but mixed history. While early attempts to emulate the success of the EU in coordinating economic, military, and political policies failed in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, the past two decades have brought renewed attempts to integrate all or parts of these regions. This course will examine successful and failed attempts at regional integration from economic, social, military, and political perspectives, with particular emphasis on the economic and political aspects. We will discuss both general issues relating to regional integration (e.g., trade diversion, welfare policy coordination, military cooperation) as well as particular regional arrangements (e.g., the EU, MERCOSUR, ASEAN, NAFTA/FTAA).
