Regionalism and the EU

In international relations, regionalism is the expression of a common sense of identity and purpose combined with the creation and implementation of institutions that express a particular identity and shape collective action within a geographical region. Regionalism refers to the idea that nation-states in a certain geographically defined area are united by common:

■ goals

■ incentives

■ interests

■ aims

These geographically defined areas are often referred to as ‘regional blocs’.