The Theory of Multi-Level Governance Conceptual, Empirical, and Normative Challenges

What does " really mean? What types of decision-making processes does it indicate? Which normative issues does it raise? MLG is a widely accepted descriptor of authoritative decision-making in the European Union. Yet because of its descriptive capacity it runs the risk of becoming ". This book defines clearly MLG's conceptual space and empirical reach by analysing three different policy areas -cohesion (redistributive), environment (regulatory), and higher education (constitutional) - and by discussing the normative implications of governing through MLG arrangements. It concludes by pointing to the novel ways in which public authorities mobilize in the EU " they were private interests and interest groups and civilsociety organizations contribute to authoritative decision- and policy-making " they were public authorities. The blurring of private and public, that so many governance theories announce, here acquires a particularly vivid meaning.

Simona Piattoni is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Trento, Italy, where she teaches Comparative Politics, European Politics and Local Government. She is member of the Executive Committee of the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), and the Conference Group on Italian Politics and Society (CONGRIPS) and sits on the editorial boards of the European Journal of Political Research, Regional and Federal Studies, European Political Studies, Rivista Italiana di Scienza Politica, and Meridiana.