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

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.