Many words, of course, have multiple meanings, either because they are used in different contexts or because different users employ different definitions. This is only one example of such a weasel word: INTEGRATION.

Kenneth Boulding classifies systems of power as threat, exchange, or integration. In this sense, “integration” means the power of cooperation motivated by love, not merely by reciprocity as in exchange, and far removed from the power of threats and punishment. A well-functioning family is an example of integration, where cooperation goes beyond both reciprocity and contract to genuine concern for each other’s welfare.

“Integration” can also mean the opposite of mere “aggregation”. An aggregative society operates by a compromise among competing special interests, with final decision by a majority vote, without necessarily reconciliation. (Contest to be fought next time, perhaps.) This is the adversarial model of society as envisioned by liberal-democratic thinkers. An integrative society operates on the assumption that all citizens should seek the greatest welfare for all citizens and the society as a whole, and vote in accordance with “the general will” (Rousseau) as they perceive it. An integrative society sounds far more idealistic and utopian, but tends to degenerate into repressive dictatorship, when those incorrectly perceiving the general will (or actually pursuing selfish interests) are severely punished. Sometimes the lesser good in theory proves to be the greater good in practice.

In Haas’ (and others) theory of “integration”, Western Europe is seen as an example. “Integration” here means the voluntary combining of sovereign states into a larger unit. The ultimate expression of this form of integration would be the formation of a world federal government.

In the calculus branch of mathematics, “integration” is the opposite of differentiation, just as in arithmetic and algebra, addition is the opposite of subtraction and multiplication is the opposite of division. While differentiation divides the object into infinitesimally small units in order to determine their instantaneous rates of growth, integration sums up an infinite number of infinitesimally small sections (e.g. of an area) to a finite measurement. Integration and differentiation are seen here as opposites.

However, in the embryology branch of biology, integration and differentiation are seen as complementary. In a developing embryo, cells differentiate to become parts of different tissues and organs (skin, muscle, liver, brain), while the organism as a whole remains integrated as a functional unit in which the organs cooperate.

Another meaning of “integration” is seen in race relations as the opposite of “segregation”. Schools are integrated when black and white children attend the same classes. Same applies to restaurants, swimming pools, and other facilities, including housing.

Summarizing: “integration” can be seen as the opposite of (threat and exchange), aggregation, state sovereignty, differentiation (in calculus), and segregation; and the complement of differentation in development.