The European Union, subnational mobilization and state rescaling in small unitary states: a comparative analysis

Abstract

This special issue addresses the impact of the European Union (EU) on subnational mobilization in small unitary states. Located at the intersection between varied contributions from the literatures on multilevel governance and Europeanization, it offers a new theoretical framework to account for state rescaling processes in small unitary states. By means of a comparative analysis of eight small unitary states, this collection shows that the impact of the EU on state rescaling processes is filtered through domestic mediating factors which can lead to three possible outcomes: (i) decentralization, (ii) recentralization or (iii) no change. It concludes that ‘hybridity’ is the most appropriate concept for capturing the compound nature of the European polity, in which local and regional tiers of government have secured new opportunities for influencing policies and making autonomous decisions. These impacts are conditioned by nuanced domestic mediating factors without challenging the overall dominance of the nation-state.