Integration: definition, types, stages

Politics and economics are two interrelated lines that determine the life activity of the state. In the modern era of integration, the problems of the formation of international economic and political, monetary-monetary unions acquire special urgency.

"Integration " is a definition, more precisely, a concept that is considered in politics, sociology, political science, philosophy. In each of the sciences, it is defined as unity, convergence, fusion of any phenomena, concepts, actions, systems, etc. Traditionally, it is customary to talk about international economic or political integration.

Political integration is a series of measures taken to bring together several political entities (states, parties) for cooperation, which is equally beneficial to all parties. In other words, it is the formation of some complex political system at the inter-party or international level. Such integration requires the creation of formal and informal bodies and institutions to jointly resolve and resolve various issues. A distinctive feature of the states that have embarked on the path of political integration can be considered the presence of not only common interests, but also values.

If the states that agree on integration experience not only mutual expectations, but also satisfy them in the process of political rapprochement, this process will be fruitful, promising and long-term. Otherwise, political integration between certain states will exhaust itself.

Although "integration " is a definition, that is, a term that emphasizes the voluntary nature of the unification of states on the most beneficial terms for them, it requires thorough and thorough preparation. And the work of such a union requires quality control and management. Naturally, all this is not a matter of one day, a month or a year. The stages of integration include a whole series of measures and solutions, from the economic level to the political one.

Integration stages :

1. The beginning of any integration at the interstate level is considered to be trade agreements. Countries interested in convergence provide each other with more favorable conditions for the market of services and goods than for other states.
2. The next stage of rapprochement is a free trade zone , which begins to act between partner countries. Customs tariffs are abolished, and a common trading strategy is being developed. All this is controlled and coordinated by a specially created body of representatives of allied countries.
3. The Customs Union is another link in the overall integration chain, its introduction presupposes a higher level of relations between the partner countries. Given that the term "integration" - the definition of union relations, at this stage is the process of establishing duty-free trade relations, the abolition of the national customs tariff of each member state of the union, the creation of a common system of non-tariff trade with other countries. In addition, the customs union is characterized by free movement of services, goods within the integrating states.
4. After the formation of the customs union, a common market is created for the participating countries. And this is not only a market for services and goods, but also capital, which moves freely at the interstate level, as well as the free movement of labor. Thus, the participating countries create a common economic policy and their management and coordination bodies. In the EU, the European Council deals with these issues, which includes heads of state and government, the Council of Ministers of the EU, and the EU Secretariat.
5. An even higher level of integration is the coordination of the economic policies of states at the macro level, at the level of the budget, the currency, the money masses. Domestic laws adapt to these new requirements, and the economic policies of each individual participating country are increasingly built taking into account the interests and needs of other integrating parties. This is reflected in the legislative and administrative bodies of the international level.
6. The highest level of integration is considered to be the formation of political alliances, or political integration. Thus, the term "integration" is a definition that gives an idea of the gradual, step-by-step process of rapprochement of states on the basis of mutually beneficial interests.