Hardback
The New Regionalism in Western Europe
Territorial Restructuring and Political Change
9781858985275 Edward Elgar Publishing
In the 1990s, the states of western Europe faced twin challenges, from above in the shape of globalization and European integration, and from below in the form of new regionalist movements. In this authoritative book, Michael Keating traces the historical origins of regionalism, showing that territorial politics has always been a feature of the west European state.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
In the 1990s, the states of Western Europe faced twin challenges, from above in the shape of globalization and European integration, and from below in the form of new regionalist movements. In this authoritative book, Michael Keating traces the historical origins of regionalism, showing that territorial politics has always been a feature of the West European state. Then he analyses the post-war model of territorial management in the Keynesian welfare state, and shows how current trends are re-shaping the meaning of political space and encouraging new forms of political mobilization and action. This new regionalism is no longer contained within the nation state so that regions must face the global market and an integrating Europe directly. Professor Keating argues that regionalism is a complex phenomenon, spanning culture, economics, politics and policy. It takes different forms in different settings, shaped by the imperatives of economic competition in a global age, as well as by political forces within the regions themselves. There is a discussion of regionalism as a strategy for economic development, of the emergence of a regional level of government and of regions with the European Union.
The New Regionalism in Western Europe will be essential reading for academics and students interested in European politics, future integration within the European Union and European political history.
The New Regionalism in Western Europe will be essential reading for academics and students interested in European politics, future integration within the European Union and European political history.
Critical Acclaim
‘This book can be considered a very welcome contribution to the discussion on the emergence of the new Europe of regions . . . The book offers a lot of insight into the potential and opportunities of the process. In fact, the chapters are based on papers that have been presented at conferences and workshops in recent years. . . . The result of all this investment is a very interesting book in which many aspects of regional development in Europe are emphasised. This is exactly why it is a book worthwhile not only for scientists and scholars but also for decision-makers and policymakers. Anybody who is involved in the regional development of Europe should read this kind of publication.’
– Frans Boekema, Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie
‘As with much else of Michael Keating’s work, the arguments appeal because they are sensitive to the political reality of the day and are replete with insights couched from his expert understanding of European trends.’
– Colin H. Williams, European Urban and Regional Studies
‘. . . Michael Keating is one of the most distinguished scholars in this field. . . . The most novel part of the book is the discussion of the new context and its implications for regions . . . this was more interesting and helpful in understanding that other fashionable phenomenon which has attracted attention – globalization – than many of the works with an explicit focus on the subject.’
– James Mitchell, Journal of Regional and Federal Studies
‘In the context of too many books that shy away from presenting a broad analysis or in doing so are simplistic, unclear or both, The New Regionalism is a welcome contribution.’
– Jonathan Bradbury, Local Government Studies
‘The New Regionalism in Western Europe is probably the most comprehensive and updated analysis of past and current trends in western European regionalism available. . . . this book does not only provide a comprehensive introduction to the study of regionalism. It will also inspire future research on the transformation of territorial politics in western Europe to reach beyond the structuralist-functionalist approaches which have dominated the literature for such a long time.’
– Tanja A. Börzel, Canadian Journal of Political Science
‘The New Regionalism in Western Europe will make a welcome addition to the literature for students and academics interested in the “broader picture” of European politics, future integration within the European Union and the political history of Europe . . . wide-ranging and authoritative work.’
– Pat MacKinnon, Political Studies
‘The book is written from a clearly interdisciplinary and comparative perspective, elaborating in each chapter general features and development trends, but illustrating also a wide variety of specific cases. . . The strength of this book lies in its sound, multi-faceted and highly differentiated argumentation, carefully evading mono-causal explanations, simplifications, common sense argumentations, and any form of territorial or spatial determinism.’
– Ingeborg Tömmel, Regional Studies
‘. . . this is a useful book that synthesises a large amount of literature concerning the condition of regionalism in Western Europe.’
– John Tomaney, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research
– Frans Boekema, Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie
‘As with much else of Michael Keating’s work, the arguments appeal because they are sensitive to the political reality of the day and are replete with insights couched from his expert understanding of European trends.’
– Colin H. Williams, European Urban and Regional Studies
‘. . . Michael Keating is one of the most distinguished scholars in this field. . . . The most novel part of the book is the discussion of the new context and its implications for regions . . . this was more interesting and helpful in understanding that other fashionable phenomenon which has attracted attention – globalization – than many of the works with an explicit focus on the subject.’
– James Mitchell, Journal of Regional and Federal Studies
‘In the context of too many books that shy away from presenting a broad analysis or in doing so are simplistic, unclear or both, The New Regionalism is a welcome contribution.’
– Jonathan Bradbury, Local Government Studies
‘The New Regionalism in Western Europe is probably the most comprehensive and updated analysis of past and current trends in western European regionalism available. . . . this book does not only provide a comprehensive introduction to the study of regionalism. It will also inspire future research on the transformation of territorial politics in western Europe to reach beyond the structuralist-functionalist approaches which have dominated the literature for such a long time.’
– Tanja A. Börzel, Canadian Journal of Political Science
‘The New Regionalism in Western Europe will make a welcome addition to the literature for students and academics interested in the “broader picture” of European politics, future integration within the European Union and the political history of Europe . . . wide-ranging and authoritative work.’
– Pat MacKinnon, Political Studies
‘The book is written from a clearly interdisciplinary and comparative perspective, elaborating in each chapter general features and development trends, but illustrating also a wide variety of specific cases. . . The strength of this book lies in its sound, multi-faceted and highly differentiated argumentation, carefully evading mono-causal explanations, simplifications, common sense argumentations, and any form of territorial or spatial determinism.’
– Ingeborg Tömmel, Regional Studies
‘. . . this is a useful book that synthesises a large amount of literature concerning the condition of regionalism in Western Europe.’
– John Tomaney, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research
Contents
Contents: 1. Territory and Politics 2. Regions and State-building in Western Europe 3. Regions in the Welfare State 4. The New Regionalism 5. Regional Government 6. The Political Economy of Regionalism 7. Regions in an Integrated Europe 8. Conclusion Appendix Index
