Studying Multi-level Governance. Examples from French Translations of the Structural Funds

The term 'multi-level governance' synthesizes the overlapping nature of the European Union and implicit theories of EU-state-subnational interdependence. Although stimulating as an overriding framework, the concept's explanatory powers are not self-evident. Using illustrations from implementation of the structural funds within three French regions, this article endeavours to operationalize multi-level governance by concentrating upon what it could help to study and what it might contribute in terms of analysing change. A case is made for focusing research upon variations in patterns of governance through developing a rapprochment between the study of public action and that of political representation.