European Integration and Local Government

European Integration and Local Government is an original comparative review of the impact of the European Union on local and regional governments throughout Europe.This book consists of ten country case studies which show how the EU has affected local government structures. These are supplemented by chapters which provide comparisons between various countries, consider multiple methodological and theoretical approaches to political integration, discuss nation-building, networks, organization development and analyse not only political integration, but the ability of the administration to implement EU policies. The contributors suggest that local governments have become legitimate players at the international scene, are gaining more power and autonomy in comparison to national governments and are strong promoters of integration through their bilateral and multilateral agreements and actions. They also argue that network and individual initiatives are playing an increasingly important role, even if structural features still determine the eligibility of EU funding. This book will be of interest to policy makers both in local government and at the European Union level, international organizations, and academics and students.