This is a unique and intelligent work that challenges the dominant normative approaches towards regionalism. Based on the author’s PhD research, the book navi- gates away from the overused regional comparisons with the European Union (EU), moving towards a South–South comparison; it also avoids treating regionalism in the South as sui generis. Mattheis analyses two regional organisations – Mercosur1 and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) – to answer two major ques- tions: how do regionalisms produce regions; and how does inter-regionalism change the nature of regionalism?

Duthie, S. (2015). Review: New regionalism in the South – Mercosur and SADC in a comparative and interregional perspective. South African Journal of International Affairs, 22(3): 404-406.