Integration Profile – An Innovative New Methodology for Comparing Regional Integrations

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35551/PFQ_2025_3_9

Keywords:

composite index, integration profile, regional integration

Abstract

The role of regional cooperation has become more important as economic blocs have gotten stronger, the pandemic has caused disruptions, and new geopolitical challenges like deglobalization and protectionism have popped up. The Economics of Regional Integration analyzes theoretical and empirical approaches to regional integration processes through ten different regional examples. The most innovative feature of the book is the development of a new composite indicator ("integration profile") that measures the economic, social, and institutional dimensions of integration, providing a practical tool for policymakers and researchers to assess regional integration. Although primarily European in focus, the book is an important step towards a deeper, comparative understanding of regional integration.

References

Endrődi-Kovács, V., & Tankovsky, O. (2023). A composite indicator to evaluate EU membership: The case of central and Eastern European member states, 2004–2021. Regional Statistics, 13(5), 899–924. https://doi.org/10.15196/rs130505

Goldberg, P. K., & Reed, T. (2023). Is the global economy deglobalizing? If so, why? And what is next? Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, 2023(1), 347–423. https://doi.org/10.1353/eca.2023.a919362

Lenz, T., & Söderbaum, F. (2025). Comparative regionalism beyond Europe versus the rest. Review of International Studies, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0260210525000038

Servillo, L. (2019). Tailored polities in the shadow of the state’s hierarchy: The CLLD implementation and a future research agenda. European Planning Studies, 27(4), 678–698. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2019.1569595

Van Bergeijk, P. A. G. (2024). Deglobalization and resilience: A historical perspective. Critical Sociology. https://doi.org/10.1177/08969205241246915

Published

2025-09-26

Issue

Section

Book review

How to Cite

Ráti, J. (2025). Integration Profile – An Innovative New Methodology for Comparing Regional Integrations. Public Finance Quarterly, 71(3), 179-183. https://doi.org/10.35551/PFQ_2025_3_9