Close Ties in European Local Governance

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. Chapter 1. Interactions of Societal Actors and Local Government in Institutionalized Governance Arrangements: The Book’s Scope and Content

   Filipe Teles, Adam Gendźwiłł, Cristina Stănuş, Hubert Heinelt

   Abstract

   The chapter sets the stage for a comparative analysis of institutionalized governance networks grouping local governments and individual and collective or corporate societal actors unfolding at the municipal, sub-municipal and inter-municipal level. It details the premises for analyzing these networks with an emphasis on organized interests and interest intermediation and their relationship with the notion of democracy. It then reviews existing literature on the relationship between local governments and societal actors at two different levels. With reference to the municipal (micro) level, it looks at interest theory, the community power debate and the local governance approach. With reference to the macro level, it looks at the broader political science approaches to state–society relations, the debates on pluralism and neo-corporatism, and the policy-networks approach. At the intersection of these levels, the chapter also examines the typology of national infrastructures for local governance.

3. Chapter 2. Diversity in Local State-Society Relations: A Typology to Grasp Differences in Institutional Networks

   Filipe Teles

   Abstract

   Interactions of societal actors in institutionalized governance networks with local authorities are one of the most common features of contemporary local governance. The multiple and diverse forms it can take provides relevant clues regarding different roles of local government in Europe, administrative, civic and political cultures, governance arrangements, decentralization processes, state-society relations, and citizens’ engagement practices. Comparative studies on this topic, with an in-depth analysis of institutionalized governance networks, need tools that allow for understanding and grasping its diversity and distinctive characteristics. This chapter develops a typology that allows researchers to systematize evidence and knowledge resulting from the analysis of these networks. The identification of different types of networks will allow a more robust comparison and analysis. This typology allows identifying eight main types of networks, based on their degree of autonomy, group coherence, and policy relevance.

4. Chapter 3. How to Measure the Autonomy, Coherence and Relevance of Local State-Society Relations

   Björn Egner, Hubert Heinelt, Detlef Sack

   Abstract

   As shown in the typology suggested in previous chapter, networks between local government and societal actors can be characterized using three dimensions: their autonomy, group coherence and relevance. In this chapter, an operationalization is developed in order to provide the basis for the analysis of particular local state-society relationships to be found in individual European countries—presented in the following chapters of this book. Each of these dimensions was subdivided into a number of attributes, transformed into questions that are easy to answer with regard to the networks to be characterized.

5. Chapter 4. Local State-Society Relations in Austria

   Werner Pleschberger

   Abstract

   While the bulk of the research describes Austria as a neo-corporatist state, there is a lack of examination of policy networks beneath the national level of economic corporatism. This chapter selectively describes the landscape of more or less institutionalized networks in Austria, which are locally relevant. The mainly small-part territorial structure of local government is a structural impediment to the formation of a uniform and simple pattern of interest representation at the local level. Four manifestations of local state-society relations are analyzed: Some networks are ceremonial (such as the Local Health Working Groups) or self-reflective (like the Local Foreigners’ Advisory Councils). Others can be labeled as delegated networks which are embedded in a framework set by upper-level government, yet still allow meaningful participation and decision-making over regional development goals and their implementation (such as Biosphere Park Committees and Regional Councils of the Agencies for Labor Market Service).

6. Chapter 5. Local State–Society Relations in Flanders (Belgium)

   Koenraad De Ceuninck, Tom Verhelst

   Abstract

   In the Belgian contribution in this volume, the following networks of local state–society relations are considered: youth councils, municipal commissions on spatial planning, local action groups, local mobility commissions and local housing consultations. These five networks offer a good overview of the broad spectrum of local state–society relations in Belgium. Youth councils and local action groups are seen as collaborative local state–society networks. They have both an advisory and a more collaborative role towards local government. The municipal commissions on spatial planning and the local mobility commissions are seen as delegated types of network, given their more formal role and position, while the local housing consultations are considered as a ceremonial type of network.

7. Chapter 6. Local State–Society Relations in Croatia

   Ivan Koprić, Dubravka Jurlina Alibegović, Romea Manojlović Toman, Dario Čepo, Sunčana Slijepčević

   Abstract

   The chapter aims to explore four important networks relevant to local state–society relations in Croatia. First, we analyse youth councils since their role is to advise and influence local representative bodies on issues of interest to the young, to empower and enhance the participation of young people in local affairs and decisions. We continue with school boards and parents’ councils as important forms of representing and promoting parents’ interests in managing schools that fall under the local scope of affairs. Then we analyse local development agencies established by local governments to support small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs and to promote the overall economic, social, and cultural development. Finally, we examine local actions groups whose main task is to develop and implement local development strategies. The autonomy, the coherence, and the relevance of each of these networks are examined.

8. Chapter 7. Local State-Society Relations in the Czech Republic

   Jakub Lysek, Dan Ryšavý

   Abstract

   In the chapter on the Czech Republic the following networks of local state-society relations are considered and classified: the municipal board commissions as communicative networks, the municipal council committees as communicative networks, the Local Action Groups (LAGs) as consociational networks, the local partnership(s) for social inclusion as self-reflective networks, the community action plan(s) for social services as self-reflective networks, and the Local Action Plan(s) in Education (MAPs) as collaborative networks. Generally, the character, the scope, and the intensity of the relationship between the local state and society differ between rural and metropolitan areas. The Czech system of local state-society relations resembles the ‘local elitist infrastructure’ type.

9. Chapter 8. Local State-Society Relations in England

   Alistair Jones, Colin Copus

   Abstract

   The chapter explores the complex networks of local state-society relationships in England. After providing necessary contextual background the chapter explores local state-society relationships by examining: Local Action Groups (LAGs) established under the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and which are also part of the European network for rural development, and the 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) across England, formed by central government to shape relationships between local government, private business and voluntary groups in fostering economic development with their areas. The chapter elaborates the diversity of structure, practice and legal requirement shaping local state-society relationships which produce numerous patterns of interaction and activity and discusses this as a commonplace feature of the environment within which English local government operates.

10. Chapter 9. Local State-Society Relations in Finland

    Linnéa Henriksson

    Abstract

    The chapter on Finland investigates three types of networks of local state-society relations: youth councils are communicative networks, municipal councils on disability are collaborative networks and local action groups are consociational networks. Youth councils and councils on disability are focused on important policy areas, but, as practically all service in these areas are in Finland strongly regulated, their actual impact on policies is limited to small adjustments within the scope of municipal self-government. Therefore, the relevance of these advisory networks is essentially about legitimacy and about creating fora for exchange of experiences. Local action groups are stable, autonomous (within the rules) and locally relevant, but to some extent constrained by a mismatch between local needs and national priorities.

11. Chapter 10. Local State-Society Relations in France

    Deborah Galimberti

    Abstract

    The chapter describes four types of formalized local state-society networks in France: local economic development agencies; local agencies for the social and professional integration of youngster; local agencies for the coordination of employment policies and local advisory committees of non-EU residents. Their institutionalization unfolded since the 1980s, and it resulted from central state incentives as well as local initiatives. They display highly varied features in terms of autonomy, coherence and relevance for sectoral policies but are characterized by a rather weak mobilization of societal actors, notably organized interests, and by a steering role of local governments. Finally, by both encouraging the institutionalization of these networks and simultaneously trying to steer at distance local affairs, the central state stands out as a Janus-like actor in local governance.

12. Chapter 11. Local State-Society Relations in Germany

    Björn Egner, Hubert Heinelt, Detlef Sack

    Abstract

    In the chapter on Germany the following networks of local state-society relations are considered: the administrative committees of the local employment agencies, the advisory boards of local job centers, the local youth welfare committees, the local foreign residents’ advisory committees, and local economic development agencies. The administrative committees of the local employment agencies are networks to which public tasks are delegated. The advisory boards of local job centers as well as the local youth welfare committees can be both characterized as collaborative networks. The local foreign residents’ advisory committees and the local development agencies represent totally different cases as the former are ceremonial and the latter consociational networks.

13. Chapter 12. Local State-Society Relations in Greece

    Panagiotis Getimis

    Abstract

    The Greek case of local networks includes an analysis of municipal advisory committees, councils for the integration of migrants and refugees, school committees, and local development agencies. These networks can be seen as typical for local state-society relations in Greece, representing variance along the three suggested analytical dimensions of autonomy, group coherence, and relevance in local policy-making. Beyond the description of the main features of each network (general framework, mandate, and structure), they are evaluated according to the suggested typology in this volume. We argue that these networks constitute incomplete institutionalization processes, which mobilize local potential, but they also hit upon significant resistance from traditional mechanisms of hierarchical, fragmented, clientelist state-society relations. The analysis and assessment of the networks present evidence of self-reflective, delegated, and collaborative networks.

14. Chapter 13. Local State–Society Relations in Iceland

    Grétar Þór Eyþórsson, Eva Marín Hlynsdóttir

    Abstract

    This chapter explores the following networks of local state–society relations in Iceland: the neighborhood councils, school boards and youth councils. Organized civic participation is a relatively young phenomenon in Iceland. The findings show that participation is top-down driven and local elites have a lot of say in how civic participation is organized as they decide if they “accept” suggestions from the civic consultation platform. The neighborhood councils are ceremonial networks, and while the youth councils communicative, the school boards are self-reflective. Thus, institutionalization of civic participation in Iceland is rather low and networks do not score high on the participatory ladder.

15. Chapter 14. Local State-Society Relations in Ireland

    Paula Russell

    Abstract

    This chapter provides an overview of four Irish examples of local state-society networks, namely strategic policy committees, local community development committees, local development companies and Comhairle na nÓg (youth councils). The strategic policy committees and local community development committees are formalized institutional, multisectoral committees that exist in each local authority. The former are self-reflective networks while the latter are delegated networks. The Comhairle na nÓg are largely ceremonial networks, while the more autonomous local development companies are consociational networks. The recent Irish experience of local state-society networks is of the increasing formalization of the structures that exist to bring local government and civil society together.

16. Chapter 15. Local State-Society Relations in Italy

    Annick Magnier, Marcello Cabria

    Abstract

    The consultative municipal bodies, the round tables for social programming, the round tables for metropolitan strategic plans, and different forms of development agencies are analyzed as typical examples of local state-society relations for Italy. The chapter dedicates a particular attention to the description of the evolution of these networks in the last decades, which allows to delineate the changes occurred in the country’s governance model. Apart from the consultative municipal bodies, these networks correspond to a flexible institutional map, beyond the municipal administrative boundaries. Considering them on the basis of the three dimensions of autonomy, coherence, and relevance, they can be described as communicative, influencer, and independent networks.

17. Chapter 16. Local State-Society Relations in Latvia

    Iveta Reinholde, Inese Āboliņa, Malvine Stučka

    Abstract

    The Latvian case of local state-society relations includes an analysis of local action groups, public councils, and advisory councils. Concerning these networks, the intensity and dynamics of interaction between the local state and society in Latvia and the locally induced variation between cities and rural areas are explored. The autonomy, the coherence, and the relevance of the analyzed networks are medium and high, and they are labeled accordingly as consociational or collaborative.

18. Chapter 17. Local State-Society Relations in Lithuania

    Jurga Bučaitė-Vilkė, Aistė Lazauskienė

    Abstract

    The chapter on Lithuania focuses on the different types of networks of local state-society relations on the municipal level, including the councils of non-governmental organizations (NGO councils), the youth councils, the tripartite councils, the councils of culture and arts, and the boards of local action groups. The analysis identifies the dominance of ‘self-reflective’ local state-society networks in Lithuania. These networks refer to highly regulated provisions, strictly organized membership and statutory rules, and limited social and economic impact at the local level. Contrary, the ‘consociational’ (boards of local action groups) and ‘collaborative’ (tripartite councils) types of networks are considered as an exception and represent a different role in local development.

19. Chapter 18. Local State-Society Relations in the Netherlands

    Hans Vollaard

    Abstract

    Dutch municipalities have a long tradition of incorporating societal actors in their governing infrastructure. This chapter analyses three cases of institutionalized local state-society relations today. In particular, since the 1970s, sub-municipal bodies in villages and districts (dorpsraden and wijkraden) have been launched to foster citizen participation. Local advisory councils for social and health affairs have been established following recent decentralizations of health and social policies. Regional employment platforms (regionale werkbedrijven) involve social partners and have been created in 2015 for the reintegration of people with disabilities into work. The cases show that the societal actors involved have rather limited influence on local policy-making. Additionally, these local state-society relations have often been launched in response to national policy developments, and the societal actors involved are less rooted in society than in the pillarized past. Therefore, doubts exist whether the state’s legitimacy among the mass public has been maintained through these relations.

20. Chapter 19. Local State-Society Relations in Norway

    Karin Fossheim

    Abstract

    The Norwegian local state-society networks considered, selected on the basis that they occur in most municipalities, are (1) council for the elderly and council for people with disabilities, (2) young people’s parliament and youth council, (3) economic development committee, (4) committee for voluntary organizations and (5) sub-municipal bodies. Councils for the elderly and councils for people with disabilities are delegated networks. Both young people’s parliaments and youth councils and committees for voluntary organizations are communicative networks mainly engaged in knowledge sharing. Economic development committees are characterized as strong consociational networks, while sub-municipal bodies are collaborative networks. Overall, the relation between civil society and local authorities in Norway is varied, and the functions of the networks are mostly advisory, but formalized within the political system.

21. Chapter 20. Local State–Society Relations in Poland

    Adam Gendźwiłł, Joanna Krukowska, Paweł Swianiewicz

    Abstract

    The chapter describes five types of formalized local state–society networks operating in Poland: local labor market councils (LMCs), committees for the prevention of alcohol problems (CPAPs), public benefit local councils (PBLCs), local action groups (LAGs) and local urban regeneration committees (LURCs). They display features of self-reflective, independent, communicative and collaborative networks. Most of these networks have been established after 2000, and their regulatory framework is still dynamic. They are relatively weak in terms of their influence over sectoral policies. In the absence of strong corporatist traditions in Poland, and due to the unstable civil society infrastructure, policymaking at the local level is still based mainly on the pillars of political representation.

22. Chapter 21. Local State-Society Relations in Portugal

    Luís Mota, Patrícia Silva, Filipe Teles

    Abstract

    The Portuguese case of local networks includes an analysis of Children and Youth Protection Committees, Municipal Councils of Education, Forest Fire Protection Commissions, and Participatory Budget Councils. These were selected taking into account their importance within the national context, also covering important functional areas of responsibility. Beyond providing a description of their general framework and mandate, membership, and structure, each of the networks is assessed accordingly to the suggested typology in this volume. The country’s stable administrative and territorial organization, together with its centralized character, would lead to expect low levels of variance among these networks. Despite this context, network-related structures have made their way within this potentially unfavorable scenario, with different degrees of autonomy, coherence, and relevance. This chapter presents evidence of delegated, self-reflective, and independent networks.

23. Chapter 22. Local State-Society Relations in Romania

    Cristina Stănuș, Daniel Pop

    Abstract

    The chapter on Romania illustrates the working of networks of local state-society relations in a top-down context where the central government mandates the creation of networks and local governments are supposed to initiate and operationalize them. The chapter discusses two collaborative networks—local action groups and community consultative structures for child protection—and two self-reflective networks—local working groups on Roma issues and consultative committees on youth issues. The networks analyzed vary in terms of policy field coverage (broader vs. narrower field of activity), territorial coverage (single vs. multiple municipalities), and perceived stability in time. The analysis shows how the structural weaknesses of both local government and civil society influence the creation, operation, and institutionalization of networks of local state-society relations.

24. Chapter 23. Local State-Society Relations in Spain

    Carmen Navarro, Lluis Medir

    Abstract

    In the chapter on Spain the following networks of local state-society relations are considered: the consultative councils for education, the Local Action Groups, the consortia for tourism promotion and the consultative councils for the elderly. They have been selected combining the criteria of the relevance of the network and the degree of generalization among municipalities. After a brief introduction on the general traits of civic engagement in Spain, each network is described and classified according to their degree of autonomy, coherence and relevance and assessed following the typology of this volume. Consultative councils for education represent self-reflective networks, Local Action Groups are consociational networks, while consortia for tourism promotion and consultative councils for the elderly are both characterized as collaborative networks.

25. Chapter 24. Local State-Society Relations in Sweden

    Anders Lidström, David Feltenius

    Abstract

    Local state-society relations in Sweden are mainly channeled through networks for pensioners and those who are disabled, who are among the most well-organized welfare recipients in Sweden. There are also networks for national minorities and for immigrants, and Local Action Groups that were introduced according to the partnership principles initiated by the EU. Apart from these, formalized networks linking local government and civil society organizations in Sweden are rare, despite a strong tradition of corporatism at the national level, a system of local government with extensive functions and one of the most well-organized civil societies in the world. This seeming paradox reflects the strong position of political parties. Generally, civil society is expected to channel their views through the parties, rather than via separate networks.

26. Chapter 25. Local State-Society Relations in Switzerland

    Oliver Dlabac

    Abstract

    The chapter on Switzerland presents some of the few institutionalized forms of local state-society networks, since local state-society relations in this highly decentralized country tend to rest upon informal exchange and practices of direct democratic participation. Two widespread exceptions are local school committees and local tourism organizations, where such networks include municipal executive councilors as well as societal representatives of the citizenry, parents and school professionals, and/or the business community respectively. While consultative school committees introduced in three French-speaking cantons can be considered as self-reflective bodies with limited autonomy and relevance, more traditional school boards as well as local tourism organizations reflect the consociational political culture that is ubiquitous also in the many informal ways of policy-making in Switzerland.

27. Chapter 26. Local State-Society Relations in European Countries: Main Findings

    Hubert Heinelt, Filipe Teles, Adam Gendźwiłł, Cristina Stănuş

    Abstract

    The chapter details and discusses the main findings of a quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis of institutionalized networks of local state-society relations in 22 European countries. It provides empirical validation for the conceptual characterization of local state-society relations based on the dimensions of autonomy, coherence and relevance as well as the subsequent typology of networks. Moreover, it discusses and tries to explain differences in local state-society relations showcased by the country chapters of the book. First, it discusses whether countries and national infrastructures for local governance explain these differences. Second, it discusses whether the policy sectors and/or the functions of the networks explain this diversity. Third, it explores the role and choices of upper-level governments and local actors in shaping this diversity. It concludes by placing the findings in the framework of an actor-centered approach in line with discursive institutionalism and by defining directions for further research.

28. Backmatter