The Logic of Regional Integration : Europe and Beyond

Rating:
Summary: A much-needed comprehensive study of regional integration.
Review: Mattli provides a thorough and careful study of regional integration in which he takes all previous theories, analyses them and synthesizes them into his own 'demand and supply' theory. If many questions about the current 'integrationist' trend were left unanswered, or poorly explained, by previous theories, both in economics and political-science; Mattli does a splendid job at explaining integration and its modus operandi. By looking at why many attempts at integration have failed and very few succeeded, and by looking at why and when 'outsider' countries attempt to become 'insiders', Mattli develops his demand-and-supply-side-conditions analysis of regional integration. His specialist knowledge of the current European integration (and previous historical attempts) is showcased in Chapter 4. This book provides a new, rich and logical framework for further studies on regional integration.

Rating:
Summary: A much-needed comprehensive study of regional integration.
Review: Mattli provides a thorough and careful study of regional integration in which he takes all previous theories, analyses them and synthesizes them into his own 'demand and supply' theory. If many questions about the current 'integrationist' trend were left unanswered, or poorly explained, by previous theories, both in economics and political-science; Mattli does a splendid job at explaining integration and its modus operandi. By looking at why many attempts at integration have failed and very few succeeded, and by looking at why and when 'outsider' countries attempt to become 'insiders', Mattli develops his demand-and-supply-side-conditions analysis of regional integration. His specialist knowledge of the current European integration (and previous historical attempts) is showcased in Chapter 4. This book provides a new, rich and logical framework for further studies on regional integration.

Rating:
Summary: Convincent interpretation of regionalism
Review: The book of Mattli is a very convincent work in regional integration studies. His arguments is not based in a (traditional)economic approach where integration is viewed only for eliminating borders barriers.

Inside political science Mattli think in terms of the role of the regional leader, the external forces of economics and demands for regional rules as the driving forces of regionalism.

Chapter 2 and 3 are the best parts of the book, and i use these chapters in my courses of regional integration, in international relations area.