In recent times, intergovernmental organizations are emerging and taking the place of traditional states. These organizations bring together states, often those within a particular zone, or those joined together by similar experiences, history, or natural resource in what looks like the government of sovereign states, usually with a view to speak with one voice in the international political system and manage their resources in such a way that allows for even development. This is the wave of integration. Examples of such organizations abound. They include the Commonwealth of Nations; European Union; Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries; Association of South East Asia Nations; Economic Community of West African States; and Brazil Russia India China South Africa (BRICS) Nations to mention just a couple of them.
It was the then French minister of foreign affairs, Robert Schuman who in 1950 proposed the integration of the French and German Coal and Steel industries leading to the creation of the European Steel and Coal Community. This is the modest root of the present day European Union, a classic example of a supranational organization managing the affairs of about 500 citizens.
The European Union is an organization composed of about twenty-seven different European states which was created in the aftermath of 2nd World War to work towards ensuring an enduring peace and even development across the continent of Europe. The organization has successfully pushed back the concept of all-powerful states as member nations relinquished part of their sovereignty to the European government, including currency matters. Although the EU started as an economic union, it has long transformed into a political union. Besides being in the Euro-zone, membership requires each member nation to relinquish some political and economic power. They however enjoy benefits that accrue from a single European market, talking of the free movement of services, goods, people, and funds all over the EU bloc. This makes the European Union an exceptional organization, standing tall as the globes first supranational organization.
Scholars believe that supra-nationalism is a response to the challenges thrown up by the globalization and interdependence, with the aim of promoting greater cooperation among participating countries; encourage closer economic ties; improve political stability and resolve common challenges in a more effective and efficient manner.
The European Union has successfully challenged the status-quo. The initial view of sovereignty has been altered by the supra-national body. Although it has its advantages, not a few watchers of the international political system believe that it may erode democracy and lead to loss of national identity.
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