In the future, will European regions be overwhelmed by global forces, or will a new localism lead to a Europe of the regions? This book argues that neither will occur, but that regional economic prosperity will depend upon the degree to which regions are able to mobilize flexible institutional strategies, and to harness the forces of globalization to their own ends.

Preface and Introduction ; Living in the Global ; The Local Embeddedness of Transnational Corporations ; Global Agro-Food Complexes and the Refashioning of Rural Europe ; The Uneven Landscapes of Innovation Poles: Local Embeddedness and Global Networks ; Growth Regions Under Duress: Renewal Strategies in Baden Wurttemberg and Emilia-Romagna ; Flexible Districts, Flexible Regions? The Institutional and Cultural Limits to Districts in an Era of Technological Paradigm Shifts ; Regulating Labour: The Social Regulation and Reproduciton of Local Labour Markets ; The Disembedded Regional Economy: The Transformation of East German Industrial Complexes into Western Enclaves ; Institutional Change, Cultural Transformation, and Economic Regeneration: Myths and Realities from Europe's Old Industrial Areas ; Local and Regional Broadcasting in the New Media Order ; Global-Local Social Conflicts: Examples from Southern Europe ; Holding Down the Global

I enjoyed reading this book because it conveys important messages about European regions ... the editors have worked hard to ensure continuity and development ... the book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of European and global geography.

`I enjoyed reading this book because it conveys important messages about European regions ... the editors have worked hard to ensure continuity and development ... the book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of European and global geography.' Geography `This closely-edited collection is an important contribution ... Like any good read, the book ends up posing almost as many questions as it answers ... This is a stimulating and thought-provoking text ... Whilst written in subtle and sophsticated prose, it is clear to read and the arguments are well-explained; as such, it is worth persevering with, even for those who might normally look to source material in other languages.' European Urban and Regional Studies `I enjoyed reading this book because it conveys important messages about European regions ... the books makes a significant contribution to our understanding of European and global geography.' Geography `In recent years considerable research effort has been expended in an exploration of the tensions between international economic processes and changing prospects for regional development. This closely-edited collection is an important contribution to that debate ... This is a stimulating and thought-provoking text.' European Urban and Regional Studies `This book firmly establishes its position within the new institutionalist cam,.but at the same time it represents an attempt to forge a unique geographical dimension to the debate ... this book is a model of presentation and editing ... Amin and Thrift present a carefully honed introductory chapter that both contextualizes and attempts to bring together all of the contributors under a coherent intellectual umbrella. Individual chapters demonstrate both a depth and range that is illuminating, each chapter has a similar structure with a clear introduction and conclusion, the whole collection is then tied up with a closing chapter by the editors.' Andy C. Pratt, London School of Economics and Political Science, TIBG, August 1996