Dual Networks in European Regional Development Policy

This article seeks to extend the general analytical powers of the ‘multi‐level governance’ (MLG) model of politics in the European Union. Empirically, we investigate the political dynamics of networks linking supranational, national, and subnational actors in EU regional development policy. Theoreti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of common market studies 1997-09, Vol.35 (3), p.347-375
Main Authors: Ansell, Christopher K., Parsons, Craig A., Darden, Keith A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Conflict
Development
Development policy
Economic development
Economic policy
Economic theory
Europe
European policy
European Union
Intergroup relations
Network exchange theory
Policy
Policymaking
Politics
Regional development
Regionalism
Social networks
Social relations
Studies
Supranationalism
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Summary:This article seeks to extend the general analytical powers of the ‘multi‐level governance’ (MLG) model of politics in the European Union. Empirically, we investigate the political dynamics of networks linking supranational, national, and subnational actors in EU regional development policy. Theoretically, we argue that interaction in these networks can be illuminated by an approach based on the structuralist logic of sociological network theory. Structuralist logic emphasizes how particular patterns of relationships—in this case, a supranational–national–subnational triad—shape actors' roles and strategies. Triads create opportunities for constantly shifting alliances, as relations between any two actors are affected by appeals to the third. The resulting pattern of interaction, which we call ‘dual network dynamics’, corresponds well to observed conflict and co‐operation in EU regional development policy.
ISSN:0021-9886
1468-5965
DOI:10.1111/1468-5965.00066