East African Economic Integration

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Periodical article

Title:	East African Economic Integration
Author:	Nye, J.S.
Year:	1963
Periodical:	Journal of Modern African Studies
Volume:	1
Issue:	4
Pages:	475-502
Language:	English
Geographic term:	East Africa
Subjects:	international economic relations Inter-African Relations Development and Technology Economics and Trade Politics and Government
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/158881
Abstract:	The problems of the geographical size and economic structure of existing African States and their need for some form of economic integration are well known. Two vital questions remain to be answered: 1. - Is it possible to overcome the problems of smallness by economic integration alone and is it in fact possible to maintain a high degree of economic integration without proceeding to political integration? The experience of East Africa suggests that the answer is no; 2. If political union is the desired end, will economic integration bring it about? Pan-Africanists are divided on the question. Here again, East African experience suggests that political union does not follow automatically from economic union. On the vital question of whether economic integration is a necessary pre-condition, the East African experience can merely suggest that it is highly important.