Abstract
The involvement of subnational actors in EU politics has become an increasingly
recognized facet of European integration. However, this highlights an interesting
puzzle: subnational authorities in unitary and centralized polities usually lack formal competence and have limited resources to engage beyond their territorial limits. Why, then, do they engage at the European level? This article addresses this question by exploring their motivations for participation in European transnational networking. These motivations are assessed against a Europeanization framework, exploring whether subnational authorities adopt the ‘logic of consequentialism’ or the ‘logic of appropriateness’ when engaging in transnational networking. The article argues that subnational authorities are rational actors, maximizing the opportunities presented by the EU without subscribing to its normative aims. In a context marked by financial pressures and Brexit, these findings provide a useful foundation for analysing the
ongoing EU–local relationship, and for explaining changes to subnational authorities’ approaches to European engagement.
recognized facet of European integration. However, this highlights an interesting
puzzle: subnational authorities in unitary and centralized polities usually lack formal competence and have limited resources to engage beyond their territorial limits. Why, then, do they engage at the European level? This article addresses this question by exploring their motivations for participation in European transnational networking. These motivations are assessed against a Europeanization framework, exploring whether subnational authorities adopt the ‘logic of consequentialism’ or the ‘logic of appropriateness’ when engaging in transnational networking. The article argues that subnational authorities are rational actors, maximizing the opportunities presented by the EU without subscribing to its normative aims. In a context marked by financial pressures and Brexit, these findings provide a useful foundation for analysing the
ongoing EU–local relationship, and for explaining changes to subnational authorities’ approaches to European engagement.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1263-1282 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Journal of Common Market Studies |
Volume | 56 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 10 May 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2018 |
Keywords
- Europeanization
- subnational government
- transnational networking
- EU-local relations