Regional Intergovernmental Organizations (REIGOs) have increased in number and importance since World War II and have assumed critical roles in both the economic and the political realms. Indeed, it is difficult-if not impossible-to discuss current economic issues without referring to the European Economic Community or the North American Free Trade Area. Similiarly, political REIGOs, such as NATO, the European Council, and the Organization of American States, are aggressively working to maintain peace and stability on a global scale. In the present volume, sociologist James Hawdon offers a novel approach to understanding the proliferation of these relatively new but increasingly important actors on the world stage.