‘Cognitive Europeanization’ and the territorial effects of multilevel policy transfer: Local development in French and Spanish regions

Abstract:

This article explores the process of 'cognitive Europeanization' of territorial policies and how this process is impacting on multilevel governance. Over the last two decades, a number of European spatial programmes have developed similar norms of action at the local and regional level. Focusing on the interactive character of the Europeanization process, the author considers sub-national actors as key elements in the adaptation of domestic political systems to these European norms. Drawing on a comparative study of territorial policies in France and Spain, the article illustrates how the policy transfer of EU-level norms is producing structural changes in territorial governance. Socialized to a European model of local development, it is argued, both regional actors and regional institutions are Europeanizing their policies without EU legislation.