22. Local State-Society Relations in Romania

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.