ABSTRACT
This chapter develops some thoughts about the relationship between regional integration and constitutional democracy. It brings together analysis from the political economy of regional integration and a rudimentary understanding of constitutionalism. The primary question addressed is: 'What are the implications of regional integration in Western Europe and North America for constitutional democracy?' The answer is by no means clear cut, but several suggestions for further consideration and research will be advanced. The primary argument is that formalized regional integration leads to a shift in emphasis to the constitutional side of the constitutional - democracy balance. Moreover, this shift is consistent with a view of democracy as a restrictive rather than an enabling practice (Held, 1987). Regional integration is thus contributing to a form of restrictive constitutionalism which defends the rights of commercial interests and reduces the scope for citizen influence over economic and social policy.
