Demoi-cracy: A Useful Framework for Theorizing the Democratization of Multilevel Governance?

Abstract

Territorial politics is one of the most dynamic areas in contemporary political science. Rescaling, new and re-emergent nationalisms, regional devolution, government, federal reform and urban dynamics have reshaped the architecture of government at sub-state and transnational levels, with profound implications for public policy, political competi- tion, democracy and the nature of political community. Important policy fields such as health, education, agriculture, environment and economic development are managed at new spatial levels. Regions, stateless nations and metropolitan areas have become political arenas, contested by old and new political parties and interest groups. All of this is shaped by transnational integration and the rise of supranational and international bodies like the European Union, the North American Free Trade Area and the World Trade Organization. The Comparative Territorial Politics series brings together monographs, pivot studies, and edited collec- tions that further scholarship in the field of territorial politics and pol- icy, decentralization, federalism and regionalism. Territorial politics is ubiquitous and the series is open towards topics, approaches and meth- ods. The series aims to be an outlet for innovative research grounded in political science, political geography, law, international relations and sociology. Previous publications cover topics such as public opinion, government formation, elections, parties, federalism, and nationalism.