Renewal in European Local Democracies: Puzzles, Dilemmas and Options (Urban and Regional Research International Book 13)

This book explores the dynamics of democratic reform processes in European local government. On the basis of analyses of theoretical challenges to present developments, the book pays attention to processes of democratic innovation inspired by classical representative democracy and by new forms of democracy influenced by notions of governance, participation, e-governance, empowering civil society and the like. Also attention is given to the role of regionalization and of leader- ship in efforts to revitalize local democracy. Cases from all over Europe are being studied. Front Matter....Pages 1-7 Puzzles of Local Democracy....Pages 9-26 Revitalising Representative Democracy....Pages 27-54 Tensions and New Connections between Participatory and Representative Democracy in Local Governance....Pages 55-77 E-forums: Refreshing the Representative Relationship?....Pages 79-98 A New Position for Civil Society and Citizens?....Pages 99-117 Strong Leadership and Local Democracy: Rivals or Potential Allies?....Pages 119-143 The Added Value of Intra-municipal Decentralisation: Comparing Bologna, Rotterdam, and Birmingham....Pages 145-163 Regionalisation and the Democratic Legitimacy of Local Governments....Pages 165-190 The Dynamics of Democratic Learning....Pages 191-204 Back Matter....Pages 205-226