Regionalism and the EU: Key terminology

Regionalism

Creation and implementation of institutions that express a particular identity and shape collective action within a geographical region.

European Union (EU)

Political-economic union of 27 member states located in Europe.

European integration

Process of industrial, political, legal, economic, social and cultural integration of states in Europe.

Sovereignty

Absolute and unlimited power and authority.

Supranationalism

Refers to a large amount of power given to an authority, which, in theory, is placed higher than the state.

Intergovernmentalism

Interaction among states based on sovereign independence.

Federalism

Legal and political structures where power is distributed between two distinct levels of government on the basis that neither is subordinate to the other.

Global actor

Entity that participates or acts in international relations.

Widening-deepening

Process by which the EU has attempted to expand membership while furthering integration.