Regionalism in a Global Society deals with the future prospects of regional integration and interaction by examining the experiences of New England, Atlantic Canada, and the Northeast International zone. Relying on case studies in different policy fields in the selected supra-regions, the authors provide an historical, comparative, and interdisciplinary overview of the dominant themes and issues surrounding transborder regionalism. The purpose of the volume is to promote a regional dialogue and to conceptualize and address the diverse institutional, economic, and other forces that have complicated the search for a common approach in New England and Atlantic Canada. The volume also represents an opportunity to bring together American and Canadian researchers in a collaboration that generates a better understanding of the impact and implications of regionalization.

Beginning with an introduction to comparative policy, the book provides an analysis of past constraints on and opportunities for north-south integration, including a consideration of the constitutional frameworks, bureaucratic structures, and party systems that have influenced the integration question. It then examines the challenges implied by federalism and proposes potential models for inter-state cooperation and/or reformation. Case studies include comprehensive and comparative explorations of regional economic development and motivation, academic regionalism, and the prospect for environmental regionalism in New England and Atlantic Canada.

Stephen G. Tomblin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Community Health (Medicine) at Memorial University of Newfoundland. He is the author of Ottawa and the Outer Provinces: The Challenge of Regional Integration in Canada (Lorimer, 1995).

Charles S. Colgan is Professor of Public Policy and Management in the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. He is Director of the Muskie School's Community Planning and Development Program and is a Senior Research Associate in the USM Center for Business and Economic Research. He is also the former Special Assistant to the Governor of Maine for US-Canadian Trade Relations.

Table of Contents: [Back to Top]

1.   Introduction and Overview: Comparative New England - Atlantic Policy Lessons
     Stephen G. Tomblin

2.   Regional Integration and National Contexts: Constraints and Opportunities
     Roger Gibbins

3.   Regionalism and Federalism in the American System
     Marilyn Gittell

4.   Conceptualizing and Exploring the Struggle over Regional Integration
     Stephen G. Tomblin 

5.   Regional Economic Development in Atlantic Canada: The Next Step
     Donald J. Savoie

6.  New England Regionalism: Economic Motivations and Barriers
     Ross Gittell and Charles S. Colgan

7.   Atlantic Canada in the Twenty-First Century: Prospects for the Regional Integration
     Robert Finbow

8.  Regionalism in New England Political and Governmental Institutions
     Charles S. Colgan and Ross Gittell

9.   Once Upon a Dream: Post-Secondary Education and Regionalism in Atlantic Canada
     David M. Cameron

10.  Academic Regionalism: Higher Education Cooperation in New England
     Robert L. Woodbury and John O. Harney

11.  Regionalization and Environmental Governance in Atlantic Canada
     Rod Bantjes

12.  Bridging Borders: The Prospect for Environmental Regionalism in New England and Atlantic Canada
     Charles H.W. Foster

13.  The Future of Regionalism in Northeastern North America
     Charles S. Colgan

Contributors
Index

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