States and regions in the European Union: Institutional adaptation in Germany and Spain

Abstract:

This book offers an analysis of the impact of Europeanisation on domestic politics and of the relationship between states and regions. It focuses on the relationship between the state and regions in Germany and Spain and shows how Europeanisation has served to weaken the powers of the regions. The book shows the contrast between the two countries in that Germany's federal system has been strengthened yet Spain's system of different levels of government has needed to change.

The book is divided into four parts. Part one develops models of Europeanisation and domestic change. Parts two and three test the hypotheses of this model in Spain and Germany. These countries have a similar degree of decentralisation but different institutional culture and have therefore adopted different strategies. The extent of the effects of Europeanisation and the actions taken by both countries are analysed. Part four provides more detail on the effects of Europeanisation by examining environmental policy-making in the two countries. In particular, the different strategies adopted by the two counties are examined in terms of their success at reducing the costs of adaptation.

The book would be suitable for academics and students of the European Union as well as those interested in the national politics of Germany or Spain.

Tanja Börzel is a Senior Researcher at the Max-Planck-Project Group on the Study of Common Goods in Bonn.