This volume features up-to-date studies of regional integration efforts, particularly those made in North America, South America, and East Asia. Comparisons are drawn between these efforts and those made in the EU, where integration has progressed much further. The book asks: what explains the variation in achievements? What kind of agreements are needed to produce regional integration? Is 'pooling and delegation' of sovereignty necessary? How important is regional leadership?

Contents: Preface; Part I Introductory Chapters: Regional Integration: some introductory reflections, Finn Laursen; Problems and divides in comparative regionalism, Philippe De Lombaerde, Fredrik Söderbaum, Luk Van Langenhove and Francis Baert. Part II The EU and North America: The EU in comparative perspective: comparing the EU and NAFTA, Alex Warleigh-Lack; Critical interpretations of integration in North America and the European Union: a comparative evaluation, John B. Sutcliffe; The present and future of North American integration: similarities and differences with the European experience, Isidro Morales; The evolving labour relations dimension of the European regional system: a model for North America?, Robert Finbow. Part III The EU, The Americas and Africa: MERCOSUR and the European Union: polities in the making?, Edward Moxon-Browne; Why do Latin American integration systems differ from the EU model? Joaquín Roy; Judicial integration in the Americas? A comparison of dispute settlement in NAFTA and MERCOSUR, Sebastian Krapohl, Benjamin Faude and Julia Dinkel; New regionalisms post-economic partnership agreements: what prospects for sustainable development in Africa and the Caribbean?, Timothy M. Shaw. Part IV The EU, Asia and the Pacific: From AFTA to ASEAN economic community - is ASEAN moving towards EU-style economic integration?, Yeo Lay Hwee; China and the East Asian regional process, Dai Bingran. Part V Concluding Chapter: Requirements for regional integration: a comparative perspective on the EU, the Americas and East Asia, Finn Laursen; Index.