Subnational democracy in the European Union: Challenges and opportunities

Book abstract:

In recent years, there has been a renewed momentum within the European Union for increased governance at the subnational level as a means of filling the 'democratic deficit'. This book is based on a research project carried out for the Committee of the Regions which examined the state of democracy at the subnational level in all fifteen Member States of the European Union. The findings of the report were published by the Committee of the Regions and the Office of Official Publications of the European Communities in 1999 but were mainly descriptive and intended for practitioners. The content of this book, however, has a stronger analytical and theoretical dimension than the report, providing academics with a discussion of the complex concept of 'democracy' and a framework for future research in this area.

Following an introduction which explores the development of democracy in Europe and the changing role of the nation state, the book is divided into fifteen chapters, each one providing a case study of the concept and expression of democracy in one of the EU Member States. These case studies are grouped together according to state traditions thus there are four parts: the Anglo-Saxon tradition; the Germanic tradition; the Napoleonic tradition and the Scandinavian tradition. Each case study covers basically similar areas, ensuring a strongly comparative dimension to the book.

The final part of the book brings together the findings from the case studies, highlighting the complex variations in democratic theory and practice in the EU Member States and examining the general trends in transformation of regional and local government in Europe.

John Loughlin is Professor of European Politics at the School of European Studies, Cardiff University, Wales.