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The political economy of regional integration in the Western Balkans

Author

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  • Pantelis Sklias

    (Associate Professor, Dept. of Political Science & International Relations, University of Peloponnese, Corinth, Greece)

Abstract

The paper aims to identify the roots and causes of the failure of existing regional economic integration efforts in the Western Balkans and the poor prospects for similar attempts in the future. Existing classical political and economic approaches are enriched by identifying a framework of analysis to capture regional economic integration. Seven political economic variables to measure regional economic integration endeavors are introduced, namely: coincidence in political interests and political barriers, common perceptions, values, principles, culture, complete and mature institutions, complementarily of productive basis, inter-state trade and financial flows and transactions, technology, infrastructure. The framework analysis is applied by measuring these variables within the Western Balkans region. It is concluded that potential economic integration efforts in the region may be achieved only through a top-down approach, namely a European Union/International Community forced process, rather than resulting from genuine efforts initiated by the respective countries of the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Pantelis Sklias, 2011. "The political economy of regional integration in the Western Balkans," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Kavala Campus, Greece, vol. 4(3), pages 21-37, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:tei:journl:v:4:y:2011:i:3:p:21-37
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pravin Krishna, 1998. "Regionalism and Multilateralism: A Political Economy Approach," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 113(1), pages 227-251.
    2. Konstantinos Hazakis, 2010. "From market economics to institutional embedness of economic development: key ethical issues for transition societies," International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 3(4), pages 385-397.
    3. Kristof Dascher & Alexander Haupt, 2008. "The Political Economy of Regional Integration Projects at Borders where Rich and Poor Meet: The Role of Cross-Border Shopping and Community Sorting," CESifo Working Paper Series 2280, CESifo.
    4. Andriamananjara, Soamiely, 1999. "On the size and number of regional integration arrangements - a political economy model," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2117, The World Bank.
    5. World Bank, 2011. "World Development Report 2011 [Rapport sur le développement dans le monde 2011 : Conflits, sécurité et développement - Abrégé]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 4389.
    6. Konstantinos Hazakis, 2011. "Rethinking the interaction between FDI and competitiveness in West Balkans: an institutionalist approach," International Journal of Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 4(2), pages 177-196.
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    Cited by:

    1. Valerija Botrić, 2013. "Determinants of Intra-industry Trade between Western Balkans and EU-15: Evidence from Bilateral Data," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Kavala Campus, Greece, vol. 6(2), pages 7-23, September.
    2. Sklias, Pantelis & Tsampra, Maria, 2011. "Assessing regional integration and business potential in the Western Balkans," MPRA Paper 36341, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Political economy; Regional Economic Integration; Western Balkans;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F59 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - Other
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises

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