With, Without, or Against the State?

Much research in political science has highlighted that sub-state entities (SSEs) - for instance, the German Länder, the Spanish autonomous communities, or the French regions - mobilise at the level of the European Union. However, there has been relatively little investigation of how this sub-state activity interacts with that of the relevant member state. While it is clear that SSEs do represent their interests in Brussels, it is not so clear whether this activity is carried out with their member state (cooperation), without their member state (non-interaction), or against their member state (conflict). The volume seeks to address this research gap by identifying the pattern of interaction between state and sub-state EU interest representation and revealing the determinants of those patterns. The book employs quantitative and qualitative methods based on over 100 semi-structured interviews with state, sub-state, and supra-state officials and politicians, and in-depth case studies analysing Scotland, Salzburg, Rhône-Alpes, and Alsace.