Description: This comprehensive volume focuses on overlapping identities and integration processes in the Mediterranean basin and queries to what extent these various identities and integration processes are compatible or in conflict. Incorporating both theoretical and empirical material, it unites contributions from a variety of countries, thus exploring these issues from different perspectives.
Review Quotes: 'This volume is extremely valuable as it seamlessly blends sophisticated theoretical insights and illuminating empirical analyses. Contributors come to different conclusions about the prospects of further integration in the Mediterranean basin and beyond. However, both pessimists and optimists bring the discussion of an all too often trivialized problématique to an entirely new level.' Matteo Legrenzi, University of Ottawa, Canada 'Although the Mediterranean can historically be considered as an archetype of a region, it is as such under-researched in the modern literature on regionalism. This book is therefore very timely. It looks at crucial issues such as the compatibility of overlapping schemes and the role of identity and culture. The book brings also a welcome optimistic message about the possibilities of future cooperation in this world region.' Philippe De Lombaerde, United Nations University (UNU-CRIS), Belgium