The Multi-Level Engagement of Subnational Administrations in European Policy-Making Process : The Case of Turkish Municipalities and Regional Development Agencies

Abstract

The European Union (EU) via its regional policy and structural funds has contributed to the territorial restructuring and decentralization in member (and candidate) states in varying degrees. Because of its official candidacy to the EU, such process has naturally affected the traditional Turkish polity. The scholars of Multi Level Governance indicate that the Europeanization process not only affects intergovernmental relations, but also promotes subnational mobilization and territorial representation in member (and applicant) states. Scholars have so far analyzed the former account for Turkey, but neglected the EU activities of Turkish subnational administrations (SNAs). In analyzing the situation for Turkish SNAs, this paper targets at filling this gap in the literature. Based on the original findings from semi-structured interviews and on a cross-sectional survey of 85 SNAs in Turkey, the research utilises the subnational mobilization literature. It also incorporates the analytical concepts of Europeanization and multi-level governance to explore the awareness and the attitude of Turkish SNAs towards the EU politics in general and the issue of subnational mobilization in particular. The finding suggests that although many SNAs have gone through the internal arrangements in order to benefit from the EU opportunities, only select subset of them have interacted with the formal EU institutions, joined the interregional organizations, and attempted to establish liaison offices in Brussels. These changes confirm the trend towards multi-level polity, yet the ongoing developments remain to be seen.