A new mode of governance? Transnationalisation of European regions and cities in the information age

Abstract

The call by European Union (EU) policymakers for wider and more direct involvement in improving European governance is coupled with the increased usage of new information and communications technologies (ICTs) by public administrations across the EU. Through the study of two major transnational networks, i.e., eris@ and TeleCities, formed by European sub-national authorities, this article argues that new ICTs in general and EU policy on the information society in particular have provided an opportunity for more direct involvement of regional and local governments in EU policymaking. Cross-border policy networks, such as eris@ and TeleCities, contribute to creating a new mode of European governance, i.e., networked governance at the supranational or transnational level. It is also argued that participation in transnational policy networks is in part driven by a desire for EU funding and, therefore, does not guarantee an adequate solution to the problems associated with governance at the sub-national level.