The Local Level in Contemporary Politics: Multi-Level Dynamics and Spillover Effects Under Scrutiny

In an era where the global and the national frequently overshadow the local, this panel delves into the nuanced and often underestimated role of local governance in contemporary politics. The panel seeks to unravel the intricate web of interactions between local, regional, national, and supranational political spheres, emphasizing the critical importance of local dynamics in shaping broader political landscapes.
This panel wishes to explore how local political arenas serve both as microcosms of larger political trends and unique environments where distinct political dynamics unfold. Hence, it welcomes contributions covering several key themes:
1. Inter-Governmental Relationships: how local governments interact with regional and national authorities, and the mechanisms of cooperation, conflict, and negotiation that define these relationships. Case studies will highlight how local entities navigate their roles within multi-tiered governance structures.
2. Policy Diffusion and Innovation: how local-level innovations in policy and governance can influence higher levels of government. Discussions will focus on the diffusion of best practices, the transfer of policy innovations, and the role of localities as incubators for new political ideas and strategies.
3. Spillover Effects: the spillover effects of local political actions, examining how decisions made at the local level can have far-reaching impacts on regional and national politics (e.g., the effects of local electoral outcomes, policy decisions, and grassroots movements.
4. Globalization and Localization: The interplay between global forces and local politics becomes increasingly complex in a globalized world. How local governments respond to and are shaped by international economic, social, and political trends, and how they assert their agency in this context.
5. Civic Engagement and Participation: the role of local politics in fostering civic engagement and participation and how local political environments can enhance or hinder public involvement in governance processes.
The panel will provide a deeper understanding of the multi-level dynamics and the significant spillover effects that local political actions can generate, fostering a more comprehensive view of political science that integrates the local with the global.