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This paper interrogates the subject of political consciousness and political governance vis-a-vis the mounting level of global restiveness precipitated by an unprecedented level of disparity in the global distribution of wealth. It borrows from the mainstream Marxian political-economic framework, arguing that the material existence of the growing and restive global population spurs political consciousness and questions the legitimacy of many national governments, as well as the global governance structures that support them. The paper is a desk study which relies heavily on secondary data, supported by a qualitative review of existing literature. Findings suggest that the global capitalist ideology – regulated by market forces – and accentuated by political globalization has failed to satisfy the legitimate aspirations to better conditions of living for the majority of the world’s population, especially in the developing countries, but particularly in Africa. The paper strongly recommends the strengthening of regional governance architecture in order to hold national leaderships accountable and responsive.

The socio-economic and political advantages derived as benefits of the integrative project have been the justification for most integrative initiatives. This has also made regional integration a major phenomenon in international relations, both as a field of study and as a sphere of actual relation. Many theories are paraded in scholarly circles explaining the rationale and process of the integrative project. However, little attention is paid to the fact that, on the continuum of integration, retrogression and disengagement is possible as social realities unfold. Using archival research method, the work examines the relevance of the neo-functional model in explaining recent trends on integration, using Brexit as a case study. It contends that the neo-functionalist model still holds analytical purchase in approximating contemporary trends of integration.