"Much has been said about the driving forces of region-building processes or regionalization worldwide. Most of the available theoretical models focus on internal (region-specific) factors, whereas some explain the regionalization processes as reactions to globalization. However, few systematic and comparative studies have been conducted on how regions can contribute to the building of other regions, and more concretely, how the European Union (EU) has 'pushed' for regionalization worldwide. This book investigates the impact that the EU has on regionalization elsewhere through its inter-regional relations. It investigates whether the EU contributes directly, as well as indirectly, to increased regional integration in different parts of the world."--Jacket.