"The doctrine of supranationalism has been most evident in Europe, but is becoming a global tour de force. Supranationalism is the ideological motor behind the process of European integration centred on the European Union, the first supranational regional regime (SRR). The same doctrine has bequeathed other gifts to the world and posterity, being prominent in shaping the emerging New World Order. The EU is becoming a major global system player, and relatedly a leading inspiration behind the proliferation of SRRs and proto-SRRs. As SRRs acquire greater power relative to 'traditional' global players, in particular nation-states, a further stage of development has got underway, entailing the creation of supranational global regimes (SGRs), signalled by the progress of the World Trade Organisation and the International Criminal Court."--BOOK JACKET.