Region-Building in West Africa

Convergence and Agency in ECOWAS
1. Auflage 2022
ISBN: 978-1-138-34832-5
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 154 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 405 g

Reihe: New Regionalisms Series

This book examines the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) practitioners in coordinating, creating, and managing regional governance practices in the areas of public health, peace and security, and microfinancial integration.

Since 1975, there have been many failed and successful attempts at unconstitutional government changes in West Africa. During this same period, numerous instruments have been designed to promote peace and security in the region. This book examines the role of bureaucratic actors in the ECOWAS in harmonizing regional integration policy in West Africa. Using data from fieldwork in several countries in West Africa, Balogun observes how ECOWAS practitioners network and strategically engage regional stakeholders in health, peace and security, and finance as a means to deepen harmonization between ECOWAS Member States and build a connection with civil society. Balogun argues that the founding conditions of ECOWAS set the organization on an institutional path to adapt its approaches to regional governance.

Region-Building in West Africa challenges the idea that self-interested leaders limit regional cooperation. The book also challenges the idea that the bureaucrats in the organization are glorified servants to their governments. Region-Building in West Africa instead focuses on the influence that bureaucrats have in shaping the international policy agenda of ECOWAS.

This book will be useful to scholars, students, and practitioners in Africa and beyond who want to better understand the inner workings of African regional organizations, and the processes that drive cooperation across West Africa.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Balogun, Emmanuel

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Studien zu einzelnen Ländern und Gebieten

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chapter 1 – Introduction Chapter 2 – Conceptualizing Convergence and Agency in ECOWAS Chapter 3 – Convergence and Agency in Peace and Security Chapter 4 – Regional Convergence in Public Health Chapter 5 – Regional Convergence in Finance Chapter 6 – Taking Stock of Convergence and Agency in West Africa

Über Autor(innen)

Emmanuel Balogun is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and affliate faculty in Black Studies at Skidmore College.