Epistemological Pluralism and Conceptual Understanding of Regional Integration in Southern African Countries
by Luwam Dirar
The conceptual understanding of regional integration is characterised by compartmentalisation of disciplinary inquiry. Conventionally integration requires amalgamation of political and economic policies. Yet, integration projects transcend political and economic cooperation and might even require harmonisation of laws and principles. Scholars from legal, economic, and political science have studied and engaged in intra-disciplinary conceptualisation of integration. Furthermore, existent integration theories were developed in relation to integration schemes of the developed north and their applicability in integration schemes of developing south has been contested. Hence, this chapter is an attempt to conceptualise integration through a four-factor analysis in order to proffer a broader conception of integration that encompasses local and regional emancipation movements in Africa in general and Southern African countries in particular.
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