Cross-border governance in the Baltic Sea region

Abstract:

This article deals with attempts to create a transnational political community in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) in order to deal with a variety of economic, environmental, security and social issues. Characterised by considerable institutional heterogeneity, regionalist initiatives in the BSR could presage the emergence of new 'networked' governance structures. However, despite its apparent 'bottom-up' character, Baltic Sea regionalism is clearly dominated by the specific interests and agendas of BSR states and the European Union. The governance question is therefore perhaps best addressed in terms of establishing (in the long-term) geopolitical and institutional conditions for more forceful co-operation within the region.