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 a shared cultural history, for example, serve to bind administratively separate regions together and trigger the integration process. It can be claimed, however, that the emphasis more recently has been on economic issues, as much supranational integration takes place to increase competitiveness and to better performance in interregional competition. Supranational integration has thus been to a large extent linked with the interconnection and globalization of the world economy, where, among other things, new cross-border regional entities are being established with a view to better economic performance. The boosting of the economy is efficiently supported in this context by a diminishing of the role of borders, which are often regarded as obstacles to growth. Stability, on the other hand, is gained by reducing the regional cross-border imbalances and tensions caused by differences in political and economic structures and thereby evening out development.

The common goals laid down in the process of supranational integration serve to some extent to reduce the sovereignty of the individual state in favor of collective interests, given that both nation-states and subnational actors usually enter into agreements that enhance supranational cooperation by establishing joint institutions that are subject to sets of common rules. Supranational integration has traditionally focused on removal of barriers to trade and promotion of the free movement of labor, capital, and goods.

As a consequence of the partial transfer of sovereignty to supranational bodies, supranational integration is considered to “hollow out” the nation-state. There has recently been some debate, however, as to whether the state is a passive reactor to these processes or proactive, as devolution of power can equally well be a strategic choice made by the central authorities. Also, only a certain amount of sovereignty is normally given to multinational bodies in connection with supranational integration, as the integration processes are usually controlled by nation-states. If all the sovereignty is given (or taken) away, the process becomes a merger rather than an instance of integration.

The rescaling of nation-states has nevertheless been a part of a broader pattern of regionalist thinking in which devolution of power is regarded as an essential element. Power is, however, said to be delegated not only upward to supranational institutions or downward to regions and cities but also outward to various nonstate bodies such as nongovernmental organizations and businesses. Rescaling has thus led to two-level or even three-level structures in which subnational and regional organizations and institutions implement supranational integration strategies at the practical level (often together with various development agencies and enterprises), but nation-states—and, increasingly, multinational bodies—nevertheless wield the decisive political and administrative power.

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