The economic integration sought by Arab countries has been a merely aspirational one. Arab countries have not risen to the challenges posed to it by their unique circumstances. Instead, Arab countries have failed to develop the strength that would be conferred by economic integration.
My inquiry will assess why, many decades after first attempts of economic integration, Arab countries have not been more successful in emulating the success of the European Union, a paradigm of successful economic integration. Specifically, I will explore obstacles to Arab economic integration and address the political and economic factors that play a role to achieve this goal. The central hypothesis of this paper is that there must be fundamental structural changes in Arab economic integration agreements. Effective dispute resolution mechanism and few opt-out provisions speak to a greater will to commit to integration. Arab countries must confront internal dissension and lack of implementation.
Legal Issues of Economic Integration