INTEGRATION, DISINTEGRATION AND RE-INTEGR ATION IN EASTERN-EUROPE - TRADITIONAL THEORIES UNDER QUESTION

The Comecon's disintegration; in 1991 runs counter to the increasing i nternationalization, globalization and integration of economies. Eleme nts are introduced for theoretical reflexion with the aims of correctl y understanding this new regional economic process and shedding light on the relations between integration and disintegration. Since traditi onal free-trade explanations do not adequately characterize the exact nature of integration within the Comecon, the analytical perspective m ust be broadened with three new operational criteria coming from alter native approaches. An inventory is made of the major theoretical advan ces regarding regional economic disintegration, a phenomenon that must be eclectically interpreted. The viability of the new post-Comecon zo nes of integration is assessed in the light of the preceding theoretic al remarks.