The External Dimension of Local Governance: Mechanisms and Consequences of Internationalization and Europeanization

Abstract

In the past decades, Europeanization and globalisation have fundamentally affected local governance throughout Europe (Denters & Rose, 2005). Europeanization refers to the growing interaction between the European Union (EU) and local authorities which originated from the increasing impact of EU legislation upon the local level as well as the opportunities this interaction has brought about for local authorities to promote their interests at EU-level (Schultze, 2003; Goldsmith, 2011; Hamedinger & Wolffhardt, 2011). Additionally, local governments increasingly engage themselves internationally beyond traditional city-twinning, not only to attract foreign investments or tourists, but also to improve, among other things, environmental sustainability, human rights, and integration of migrants (Kern & Bulkeley, 2009). As such, Europeanization and internationalization represent a new, external dimension to local governance. This dimension challenges traditional local government in two ways. On the one hand, it provides local government with an opportunity structure to play a new role on the international scene. This new role is reflected by a growing number of local government offices in Brussels, European-wide initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors, increasing activity of European and transnational networks (e.g. EUROCITIES, HANSA, United Cities and Local Governments), and the launch of new organisations such as the Global Parliament of Mayors. On the other hand, the external dimension has important consequences for local governance and society. Direct interactions with EU and global institutions, for instance, put pressure on traditional relations with central government (Kübler & Piliutyte, 2007; Dossi, 2017). Local governments can by-pass their national counterparts by pushing for their own policy priorities at the international scene (Tatham, 2010). European integration and globalisation can yet also constrain local autonomy as they face international competition for investments, and are required to comply with international and EU law (Brenner, 2003; Heeg et al., 2003; Fleurke & Willemse, 2007). Local governments’ external policies also affect their internal organisation. By acting on the international scene, local executives may gain power vis-à-vis municipal councils struggling to scrutinize these international activities (Van der Heiden, 2010). Besides, current forms of contestation in local politics and society might directly stem from the consequences of globalisation and European integration – e.g. the pressure on the local housing market from wealthy expats, the housing of labour migrants, the electoral rights of foreign residents, and anti-radicalization of terrorists (e.g. Vermeulen, 2014; Bilodeau, 2016; Judah, 2016). Local governance thus might shape EU and global politics in a proactive way, yet it is equally and profoundly affected by both. Despite the growing importance of the external dimension to local governance, comparative research on local governments’ foreign policy remains fairly limited. That also holds for the way international politics shapes local politics the other way around. Our panel therefore looks into the reciprocal relationship between local governance and EU and global politics. The panel proposal includes five paper abstracts which examine the external dimension of local governance from different perspectives, both theoretically and thematically.