Politics of Economic Regionalism

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Offering a radical conceptual interpretation of the interface between the nature of domestic politics and the political economy of regionalism, this innovative text constitutes the first in-depth analysis of the role and contribution of economic regionalism in West Africa. National development, regional security, conflict management and the reconstruction of political authority in collapsed states are considered, as well as critically examining whether the experiment with economic regionalism has helped to address the region's multidimensional development and security problems. Anyone interested in the politics of developing countries and especially the link between regional cooperation, economic development, democratization and conflict management will find this book essential reading. Contents: Introduction. Economic regionalism in West Africa; Security regionalism in West Africa; ECOWAS and the new regionalism; Sierra Leone in ECOWAS; Civil war in Sierra Leone: interpretations; Political economy of diamonds and trans-border regionalization; Political implications of Sierra Leone's ECOWAS regionalism; Economic implications of Sierra Leone's ECOWAS regionalism; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

SYNOPSIS