Regionalism in Africa ─ Genealogies, Institutions and Trans-state Networks

Africa, emerging as of as a new 'frontier' for global trade and investment, has been on the frontline of global and rising mobilisation towards the conclusion of regional trade agreements and their potential for block-building on a global scale. Yet, intra-regional trade and the achievements of regional economic groupings still remain highly disappointing for the continent.

This book argues these representations stem from a narrow focus on institutions (regionalism) and euro-centric models at the expense of an emphasis on processes of regionalisation that involves new players (corporations, diasporas). As such, it calls for different analytical models and emphasises the heterogeneity of institutional architectures, goals, paths and processes associated with regional organisations and region-building processes in Africa. In doing so, it illuminates the political dynamics, inter-state political rivalries, conflicts, national interests and clashing interests that have influenced African state actors in one direction or another, shaping the embryonic regionalism.

This text will be of key interest to students and scholars of African politics, African history, regionalism, comparative regionalism, and more broadly to international political economy, international relations and global and regional governance.

Daniel Bach is Directeur de recherche CNRS au Centre Emile Durkheim and professeur de Science Politique a Sciences Po Bordeaux.