“Europe with the Regions”: Channels of Regional Representation in the European Union

One of the most important consequences ofEuropean integration is the multiplication of extra-national channels for subnational political activity. Territorial relations are being transformed: national states are losing control over important areas of decision making, a variety of new channels have been created for regional mobilization, and subnational governments are engaged in innovative, transnational, patterns of interaction. Regions, however, do not engage in these activities equally. There is no congruence in the political role of cities, municipalities, and regions in the European Union. On the contrary, there are enormous differences in the level of organization, financial resources, political autonomy, and political influence of subnational governments across Europe. The result is the unfolding of common threads of change against a background of persisting variation.