The ‘Isms’ of Regional Integration: What do Underlying Interstate preferences hold for the ECOWAS Union?

<p>As the world starts reopening following the recent lockdowns prompted by Covid-19 pandemic, regional collaborations and trade matters have resurfaced. While the Brexit (British exit from the European Union) negotiations dominate regional trade headlines, the fate of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is also being rethought. In all these, however, the issue of regional integration, administration and governance of treaties and policies remain contentious areas. Considering these concerns, this paper draws insights from the regionalization of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). We explore the “isms” (that is, the ideologies of realism, neo-liberalism, intergovernmentalism, institutionalism and regionalism) that impacts upon the achievement and implementation of the regional governance system. We analyse ECOWAS current strategy towards the integration of the West African region, its successes and failures. Also, we highlight some of the challenges concerning the implementation of treaties. Finally, we evaluate the underlying national preferences and the implications for the “isms” in many settings.</p>