Cities as International Actors - Urban and Regional Governance Beyond the Nation State

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 scales.

Tassilo Herrschel is Associate Professor (Reader) at the University of Westminster, UK. He has published widely on international comparative city-regional governance and economic policy in the context of globalisation. Tassilo is an Associate Fellow at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, and also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and of the Regional Studies Association. Currently, he serves on the editorial board of European Urban and Regional Studies.

Peter Newman is Emeritus Professor at the University of Westminster, UK. His previous books have focussed on the governance and planning of cities and regions in Europe and on the particular challenges facing world cities.