The Hidden Benefits of Regional Integration

Abstract

This article demonstrates on the one hand that there are hidden advantages of regional integration, apart from the advantages known and treated by researchers, who have most essentially emphasized economic and commercial advantages. Thus, using qualitative research methodology methods, including documentary research and analysis (textual, audiovisual), non-participant observation or even observation, this article carries out a constructive analysis which results in hidden or unknown advantages of regional integration. These hidden advantages are in the interest of member countries of the same organization, of the same regional community and in the interest of their citizens like ECOWAS or NATO. Of these hidden advantages, we retain the protection of democratic regimes and citizens of the countries of the community guaranteed by the regional community; the means of overcoming the challenges related to natural insecurity; the feeling of belonging to a powerful regional community and the means of deterrence against possible aggression; and finally, the means of tending towards a cultural, racial and ethnic mixing. These hidden advantages align with the known advantages that have been the subject of several studies, such as the sharing of a common currency, the easy movement of goods and people, a common market or the exemption of taxes and customs duties between member states of the same community as that which brings together West African countries. On the other hand, this present article suggests reasons and motivations justifying regional integration that is easy so that certain countries, even due to certain circumstances and certain considerations, can integrate a Regional Community to which they aspire to be members.