Distance, Size and Turmoil: North-South Mediterranean Interactions

Aspirations toward the economic and political integration of a Mediterranean region were and continue to be articulated by potential members, with strong emphasis on “shared prosperity.” We attempt to evaluate the degree to which the past 17 years of aspirations have led to observable economic and p...

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Bibliografiske detaljer
Udgivet i:URI:https://journals.openedition.org/cdlm,
Auteurs principaux: Rhamey, J. Patrick, Thompson, William R., Volgy, Thomas J.
Format: Article ou chapitre numérique
Sprog:Anglais
Udgivet: Cahiers de la Méditerranée 2015
Fag:
Online adgang:Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM
Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM
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Summary:Aspirations toward the economic and political integration of a Mediterranean region were and continue to be articulated by potential members, with strong emphasis on “shared prosperity.” We attempt to evaluate the degree to which the past 17 years of aspirations have led to observable economic and political integration between potential members. Has a politically relevant Mediterranean region begun to coalesce? How have levels of integration risen or fallen since the original aspirations of integration were expressed in the wake of the Cold War? Which factors are motivating observed integration? To accomplish this task, we first evaluate and discuss levels of integration through qualitative network analysis of political interactions and trading relationships. Second, we identify the contexts in which Northern Mediterranean states interact with the South, and whether those interactions are cooperative or conflictual. Northern States appear to interact with former colonies, but a general avoidance of Southern states occurs when those states experience domestic turmoil. However, overall levels of integration are limited and in decline.