Ο ρόλος των υποεθνικών δρώντων στην Ε.Ε.: θεωρητικές αντιπαραθέσεις και εμπειρικές εκτιμήσεις

Abstract

This article assesses the phenomenon of European subnational mobility in the light of the theoretical debate between liberal intergovernmentalism and multi-level governance. More precisely, two (seemingly) conflicting theoretical assumptions on the significance and the consequences of subnational mobilization are tested against the available empirical evidence. Contrary to the logic of the multi-level governance argument, it is found that increased .subnational mobilisation does not necessarily lead to subnational empowerment. In addition, in a number of cases, despite growing subnational involvement, national governments have assumed a “flexible gatekeeping" role that conforms to the intergovernmetalist viewpoint. However, the overall picture is much more complicated; in practice, modes of governance bearing the traits of transnational policy networks function alongside traditional intergovernmental networks, and the relevant significance of these types of networks varies over space and time.