The regional issue is high on the EU's policy agenda. This book, one of the first to offer a pan-European analysis of the subject, argues that certain institutions and strategies are making a critical difference to economic development and future potential at a regional level. The contributors argue that some regions, such as Emilia-Romagna, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Rhone-Alpes, have been highly successful in launching regional development strategies. Others, such as the English and certain southern European regions lack the economic resources and institutional structures to follow these examples. The book analyses the reasons for success and failure, and considers the strategic development options open to the less developed European regions. Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the North West of England are also covered in case studies. The regions and the new Europe will be of interest to specialists in comparative politics, European politics and policy, and economic geography.