ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book deals with conceptual issues and the evidence thus far, the aim being to provide a theoretical structure or mapping of regional integration on poverty. It discusses how regional provisions affect trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) and migration. The book presents the building blocks for a mapping of regional integration onto poverty. It also discusses how trade, FDI and migration affect poverty. The book argues that much of the evidence is based on multi-country or multi-region studies. It also deals with averages and fails to identify which provisions in which Regional Trade Agreements (RTA) have what effect in which countries. The book describes the fact that regional provisions related to investment differ markedly across RTAs and across time. It focuses on how regional integration provisions affect FDI.
