Cities as international actors : urban and regional governance beyond the nation state

Abstract

This book explores the growing role of cities and regions as sub-national actors in shaping global governance. Far from being merely carried along by global forces, cities have become active players in making and maintaining the networks and connections that give shape to contemporary globalization. Exploring examples from Europe, North America and beyond, the authors reconcile the two separate, yet complimentary, theoretical and analytical lenses adopted by Urban Studies and International Relations, as they address the nature of 'cities' and 'internationality'. The authors challenge academic debate that is reluctant to cross disciplinary boundaries and thus offer more relevant answers to the new phenomenon of international city action, and how it weakens the traditional prerogative of the state as primary actor in the international realm. Conclusions focus on how this new internationality opens opportunities for cities and regions but also contains potential pitfalls that can constrain policy options and challenge the legitimacy of policy making at all scalesContents; List of Figures; Chapter 1: Cities Joining States as International Actors; 1.1 Conceptualisations of 'City' and 'Internationality' from an Urbanist and IR Perspective; 1.2 Outline of Chapters; References; Chapter 2: Cities and the Global Arena-From Connectors to Actors: The Questions of Space and Territory; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 The Dual Meaning of 'Region': Connecting the 'International' and the 'Sub-National'; 2.2.1 Regions and State-Centric Internationality; 2.2.2 The Sub-National Use of 'Region'; 2.3 Summarising Comments; References. Chapter 3: Cities and the Changing Nature of International Governance3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Understanding the 'International' in Global Governance-Some Conceptual Views and Debates across the Disciplines; 3.2.1 Growing Complexity in Scale and Multi-Level Governance; 3.2.2 International Organisations and Regimes in Multi-Level Arrangements; 3.2.3 Questions of Authority and Legitimacy of International Urban Action; 3.3 The Growing International Sphere of Governance; 3.4 Cities, Regions and the Internationalisation Through Networks Contents: 3.5 International Networks and Organisations by Sub-National Actors3.6 Leading Cities: Mono-Lateral International Engagement; 3.7 Conclusion: 'Thickness' of Internationality and Modes of Sub-National Engagement; References; Chapter 4: Expansion and Activities of Networks of Sub-National Governments; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Sub-National Networks and International Organisations; 4.3 Summary; References; Chapter 5: Individual Initiatives by Cities in Europe; 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 City-to-City Pairing Through Town Twinning Contents: 5.3 European Capital of Culture as EU-Sponsored Route to International Engagement5.4 Single City Engagement Through International Representation in Brussels; 5.5 Summary; References; Chapter 6: Cities and Internationality in North America and Beyond; 6.1 Introduction: Networks and Single City Action in the North American State Context; 6.2 Network-Based Action in the United States; 6.2.1 The National League of Cities (NLC); 6.2.2 The US Conference of Mayors; 6.2.3 Sister Cities International; 6.2.4 The Global Cities Initiative (GCI); 6.3 Local Internationalisation Through Networks in Canada