European integration and local government
By: edited by M. J. F. Goldsmith and K. K. Klausen.
Contributors: Goldsmith, Michael.; Klausen, Kurt Klaudi.; European Consortium for Political Research.
Publisher: Elgar
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Cheltenham
Language: eng
Number of pages: 266
Subjects: European Union.; Local government -- European Union countries.
Description: 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 and 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.
Notes: Papers presented in workshop sessions of the European Consortium for Political Research.

1