Conditioning and fine-tuning Europeanization: negotiating regional policy maps under the EU’s competition and cohesion policies

Abstract:

Most studies of Europeanization tend to adopt a top-down conceptual perspective exploring the impact of the EU on Member States' policies, polities and politics. Whilst it is generally recognized that Europeanization involves reciprocal relationships between the EU and Member States, few studies seek to explore the nature of such interaction. This study sheds light on such processes by exploring the negotiation of regional policy maps under the EU's competition and cohesion policies. Approaching Europeanization from this angle shifts analytical attention towards actors, their preferences and strategies, and the bargaining opportunities through which they may attain their goals over time.