Regionalism in the European Union. 2nd ed.

Regionalism in the European Union

The view that the nation state is too small for the big problems and too big for the small problems has led to a growing awareness of the power and potential influence of regions within the Member States of the EU. This book foretells a future in which European states reassess their relationships with their neighbours and their citizens as what seems permanent is merely a historical moment. Decision-making will no longer be the prerogative of national governments acting alone or in concert as the affirmation of regional identities takes hold with increasing force.

Following a general introduction by the editor on regions, nations and identities, there are chapters on regionalism in individual countries, covering the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Italy, Greece and Iberia. The final chapter covers the Committee of the Regions of the European Union. The authors of the chap ters are mainly from UK universities, although some are from European universities outside of the UK. The contributors to this volume provide an examination of the balance between state and region, centre and periphery, and well as capital and province, within a variety of Member States of the European Union. In each case there is analysis of the affirmation of regional identity in a historical context, the growth of regional development, and the dynamics of region/state and inter-regional competition and co-operation.

The book includes maps showing the regions of each country covered, and a comprehensive bibliography in addition to the references provided with each chapter.