ABSTRACT
This chapter uses the notion of new regionalisms to project a new reality on the continent as the new millennium proceeds. These regionalisms include: developmental economies, ecologies, corridors and triangles; civil societies and medias; war economies and peace-building responses. The discussion in the chapter takes it to be axiomatic that any local to global social relationship inevitably includes a trio of heterogeneous actors: states, economic structures and civil societies. It asserts that meso-level regional analysis, if appropriately informed, can focus on the diversities of political economy and culture on the continent than established approaches. The chapter identifies a range of novel forms of regional interactions and institutions beyond established, inter-governmental regional organizations. It highlights some salient lessons, which might be learned from African cases and debates for older disciplines and discourses as well as future policy interventions. West Africa is becoming the symbol of worldwide demographic, environmental and social stress, in which criminal anarchy emerges as the real strategic danger.
