ABSTRACT

The complexity and ambiguity of new regionalism and its economic and political implications warrant an empirical analysis. The second main topic of this book is the comparison between the existing regional organizations, constantly keeping the EU experience in mind. Five main case studies are particularly taken into account: two in the Americas (NAFTA and MERCOSUR), one in Asia (ASEAN), one in Africa (SADC), while comparative references are made to other regional groupings (Communidad Andina, SAARC, ECOWAS).