Developing European regions? Comparative governance, policy networks and European integration

Book abstract:

This book re-appraises the apparent renaissance undergone by European integration since the mid-to-late eighties. It uses policy network analysis and case studies in order to examine the diverse process of developments in regional policy and integration in three European countries: Ireland, Britain and Germany. In doing so, it evaluates the problem of the so-called 'Europeanisation' of state policy.

The work consists of seven chapters. Chapter one deals with the 're-ordering' of governance and European integration, along with providing a suitable structure for analysing these issues. Chapter two looks at structuring policy networks in the sub-national governments of Germany, Ireland and Britain, and chapter three turns to the problem of managing policy networks, in terms of central government methods of developing regional government in the same three countries. Chapters four, five and six, respectively, comprise of case studies on Thüringen in Germany, Limerick in Ireland, and Merseyside in England. In chapter seven, by way of concluding the book, the question of developing European regions as a whole, in terms of comparative governance, policy networks and the dilemma over European integration is summarised.

The book is aimed at those involved in all aspects of regional and comparative politics, public administration and policy analysis, sub-national governance and European integration theory.