Supranational Integration

Supranational integration can be described as a process in which two or more nation-states or subnational regions within states come together by themselves or are brought together by a third party to form a new territorial configuration. As a concept, it usually refers to state-level memberships of political coalitions, but it can also be boosted by subnational organizations such as regional councils.

Supranational integration has been a globally important feature of political and economic life, especially since the end of World War II. It has been regarded as important for reducing political tensions and disparities between both nation-states and subnational regions. Apart from its political and economic origins, supranational integration has sometimes taken on a distinctively cultural character. This is the case when regional identity and ...