Political Economy of Regionalism

This book examines the effects on regions of economic and political restructuring in Europe and North America. The main theses are: international economic restructuring and its impact on regions; political restructuring at the supranational, national and regional levels; political realignments at the regional level; questions of territorial identity and their connection with class, gender and neighbourhood identity; policy choices and policy conflicts in regional development. The first part of the book treats a number of themes in the political economy of regionalism from theoretical and comparative perspectives. The second part comprises case studies of regions which illustrate these developments in a detailed fashion. The case studies are mainly based in Western Europe and North America but include examples from non-European countries such as Australia where members of the group have found parallel themes. This book is essential reading for political scientists, geographers, and economists, as well as practitioners with an interest in the regional question today.