The aim of this article is to build an analytical framework for understanding regional peace and security. Building on important insights from other theoretical approaches, it proposes that in order to comprehend the complexities of each regional cluster we have to account for: (a) agents of peace and security, (b) instruments of peace and security, (c) the security pattern, (d) the conflict pattern, (e) the positive peace pattern, and (f) the level of regional integration. Secondly, the article examines how these different components relate to each another. It introduces the concept of the 'regional peace and security cluster' (RPSC) and proposes that RPSCs can be classified as 'regional fragmentations', 'regional coalitions', 'regional communities' and 'regional governmental polities'.
An all inclusive African Economic Union has been a longstanding objective of many in Africa and the United Nations. While some modest achievements have been realised, the long-held goal of effectively integrating Africa economically remains elusive. Against the backdrop of Africa's place in the world economy and the formation through recent history of African regional economic communities, this article assesses the major impediments to a continent-wide economic integration. It is the contention of this paper that effective economic integration has been hindered by regional overlapping, varying degrees of integration progress, and fragmentation due to competing interests. Before the article concludes, possible scenarios for the future are discussed.
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