Research - Center for Comparative Integration Studies

Concretely most of Center for Comparative Integration Studies' staff's research interests are grouped within the following main areas:

Understanding regional integration

Theories, concepts and history. Under this head-line a number of projects on aspects of RI, with a theoretical approach are conducted. Examples are 'Dynamics of Overlapping Integration in the Mediterranean area' and 'Shared Culture as a Prerequisite for Successful Regional Integration?'.

Actors and processes in regional integration

This aspect of Center for Comparative Integration Studies' activities seeks to examine the various institutional actors - states, businesses, civil society, diasporas and interest groups - and their roles, relations and impact in integration projects. In addition it will examine the various processes - including but not limited to specific institutional arrangements - underpinning the various integration projects.

Regional integration projects

This aspect of Center for Comparative Integration Studies concentrates on individual regional integration projects like the African Union, ASEAN, European Union, Mercosur etc. On an empirical basis the projects analyses integration projects within a region in order to add empirical and theoretical knowledge to CCIS’ over all project on how regional integration processes develops. Examples are: 'East Asian Regional Integration: From Japan-led "Flying-geese" to China-centred "Bamboo Capitalism", and South American Regional Integration: Two Moments in Mercosur's Integration Trajectory'.

Regional Integration Processes within Specific Areas  

At the mezzo-level the Center for Compartive Integration Studies' staff analyses processes of integration within regions. Among other things, such analyses contribute to the understanding of the development of regional integration. Examples are: Europeanization of Small State Executives, 'Comparative study on Public Health systems' and 'The Political Economy of Northern Regional Development'.  

Publications

The Center for Comparative Integration Studies publishes a series of working papers concerning aspects of Comparative Regional Integration studies (CRI). They are all based on presentations made at a Center for Comparative Integation Studies seminar, and they have all been reviewed of at least to senior academics. The rage of topics is broad, but has to be covered by the overall frame of CCIS.

Center for Comparative Integration Studies also encourage its members to publish on the subject of Comparative Regional Integration studies  CRI.