About Region-Building in West Africa

"A must-read for scholars and practitioners alike, Balogun’s novel application of practice theory, agential constructivism, and historical institutionalism provides a compelling analysis of the processes and implications of region-building in West Africa."- J. Andrew Grant, Department of Political Studies, Queen’s University, Canada

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It’s been a persistent challenge for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to manage attempts to subvert constitutional ways to change power like coups. This book looks at the practitioners who do the work of the organization. We can learn so much from their practices, and the agency their work holds. Regional organizations like ECOWAS influence regional governance by collaborating with civil society and other regional stakeholders.

Since its founding in 1975, ECOWAS has adapted over time building bridges between countries and facilitating economic integration toward stability. The institution is set up to allow for these changes to happen over time through numerous instruments:

  • Policies

  • Guidelines

  • Amendments and revisions to treaties

  • Protocols

  • Statements

  • Frameworks

  • Sanctions

Practitioners in ECOWAS are able to create policies that deepen ties with civilians. They are able to respond to political, financial, and health crises. Interviews with over 125 bureaucrats and heads of state in ECOWAS informed this book, along with 26 interviews with international organizations. Learn more about the research behind the book.

This book may be useful for research and classes in these areas

  • African Politics

  • Comparative Regionalisms

  • International Organizations

  • Global Governance

Region-Building in West Africa: Convergence and Agency in ECOWAS is forthcoming in print and ebook May 20, 2022 from Routledge.

 
 

Emmanuel Balogun, PhD is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Skidmore College.

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Email: ebalogun@skidmore.edu

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Table of Contents

 

  • Chapter 1 – Introduction

  • Chapter 2 – Conceptualizing Convergence and Agency in ECOWAS

  • Chapter 3 – Convergence and Agency in Peace and Security

  • Chapter 4 – Regional Convergence in Public Health

  • Chapter 5 – Regional Convergence in Finance

  • Chapter 6 – Taking Stock of Convergence and Agency in West Africa

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To request a review copy of Region-Building in West Africa: Convergence and Agency in ECOWAS from Routledge / Taylor & Francis Group, please fill out this Media Review Request Form.

Library

Ask the librarian at your local or university library if they take requests. Your library’s website may have a Recommendation form you can fill out. To request a book at your library you may need the following information

  • Your library member number

  • Book ISBN: 9781138348325

  • Book Title: Region-Building in West Africa: Convergence and Agency in ECOWAS

  • Author’s Name: Emmanuel Balogun

  • Publisher: Routledge

  • Year: 2022

If your library is unable to purchase a copy of this book, you may be able to request it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

How I did the research

It all started with my dad, Kazeem Balogun, telling me about my Nigerian heritage. I am a 1st generation Nigerian-American. The country he told me about was so different from what I learned in school. His stories sparked my interest in Africa, and ultimately in ECOWAS. When I was traveling to Nigeria for research for this book, it was through my uncle I was able to connect with my 1st of what would become 151 interviews.

From 2016-2019, I did fieldwork in archives and libraries in

  • Burkina Faso

  • Ghana

  • Nigeria

  • Togo

Thank you to the many ECOWAS Commission officials, bureaucrats and former heads of state, who spoke with me for the 125 open-ended and structured interviews that inform this book. To all the practitioners who keep ECOWAS running, I hope this book helps the world learn from the work you do.

I am also grateful to members of these organizations among others, for their interviews

  • West African Civil Society Institute (WACSI)

  • West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)

  • Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC)

  • ECOWAS Bank of Investment and Development (EBID)

  • Center of Democracy and Development (CDD)

  • West African Health Organization (WAHO)

Invite Emmanuel Balogun, PhD to speak with your group or organization. Email ebalogun@skidmore.edu