Supranationalisms and Globalization: The Contours and Subcontours of Power and Trade Alliances

Abstract

This chapter identifies key supranationalisms across the globe, their interactions with each other, as well as with systems of global governance, and the resulting complex contours and subcontours of power and trade alliances and politics. It continues with the scene-setting from the previous chapter, that forms of nationalism and identity interests (chiefly supranationalism) operate against the aims of globalization (and global governance for that matter), and ensure that there are always separate forms of identity, and their related competitive or conflicting interests separating the globe, even if globalization portends to be a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society that should function together. Consequently, the rules of engagement are never set in stone, and precisely when and how constructive engagement occurs is left to be dictated by mutuality, seniority, or the party with the advantage, whichever attribute is practicable for the moment.