Includes bibliographical references (p. [204]-228) and index.

The weaknesses of regional integration theories -- The global markets approach in explaining cooperation -- Methodology and the empirical plausibility of the hypotheses -- Global financial markets -- Global production and foreign direct investment -- World trade -- Conclusion : crises, interests, and instruments -- Liberalization strategies in the single market project "1992" -- France -- Germany -- The United Kingdom -- The European level -- Liberalization strategies in the common market of the South -- Argentina -- Brazil -- Liberalization strategies in the North American Free Trade Agreement -- Mexico -- The United States -- Empirical results : preferences and the global markets approach -- Theoretical development of the global markets approach -- Implications for theories of regional integration and international relations.