No space for citizens? Conceptualisations of citizenship in a functional region

Abstract

This article aims to discuss whether there is such a thing as citizenship performed at the level of the sub-state region and, if so, how this can be studied. It is suggested that aspects of citizenship should be studied not only in the context of sub-state administrative units, but also in the context of more loosely interconnected functional economic regions. The main argument for this is that, although there is no ‘contract’ between the polity and the citizen in these functional regions, they are often highly politicized spaces, governed by coalitions of public and private actors whose actions can be of considerable importance for those inhabiting them. It is also suggested that, in the absence of formal rights and institutionalized relations between citizens and polity, we need to explore how ‘citizens’ and ‘citizenship’ are conceptualized by the polity in these regions more broadly. The article focuses (a) on the conditions for citizenship in the functional region and (b) on those discourses of citizenship that emerge under the conditions identified. A tentative conclusion is that, in the absence of formal citizenship rights connected to the functional space, a discourse about citizens and citizenship has emerged, which is focuses solely on citizens' capacity to contribute to economic growth.

Keywords:

• citizenship
• space
• place
• functional region

Notes

 1. According to Painter, the large literature on federalism is an exception to this. However, although federalism ‘has profound implications for citizenship, most writings of federalism are not couched in terms of citizenship theory’ (Painter 2008, p. 17).

 2. This is not to say that federalism is an unambiguous concept. For a discussion on unitary vs. asymmetric federalism, see for instance Benz (1999) and Swenden (2002).

 3. Norrköpings Kommunfullmäktige (2002), Bolagsordning för Marknadsföringsbolaget Nya Norrköping AB. 2002-06-19.

 4. See Linkopings Universitet (2007) ’Ett universitet med internationell lyskraft som är drivkraft i en kosmopolitisk kunskapsregion’, Forsknings- och utbildningsstrategi for Linkopings universitet (Dnr LiU 502/07-60); Linkopings Universitet (2008), Forskning & Framtid: Samarbete for bättre vetande, Norrkoping; Available from: http://www.liu.se/nystudent/staderna.

 5. Observations at Fastighetsägarna (2008) ‘Fastighetsägardagen’ Seminar arranged by Fastighetsägarna. Linköping. 2008-04-15; Östsam (2008) ‘Hur bygger man en storstadsregion?’ Seminar arranged by Östsam Regionförbundet, Nutek, Linköpings and Norrköpings kommun. Linköping, 2008-03-14; Gobaliseringsrådet & Fjärde Storstadsregionen (2008) ‘Konkurrenskraftiga regioner i en globaliserad värld’ Seminar arranged by Globaliseringsrådet and Fjärde Storstadsregionen, 2008-05-07.

 6. Marknadsbolagen Norrköping och Linköping (2006b) Nutek satsar på Fjärde Storstadsregionen. Pressmeddelande. 2006-07-03.

 7. http://www.fjarde.se/296.html.

 8. The Nordic Triangle is in this context the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) that connects Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki.

 9. Marknadsbolagen Norrköping & Linköping (n.y.) Mångfald, p. 8; Marknadsbolagen Norrköping & Linköping (2002) Linköping Norrköping – två städer en region, pp. 1,3,10, Interview 03.2008-04-02; Interview 04.2008-04-03.

10. http://www.twincities.se/1362.html, 2009-03-18.

11. Marknadsbolagen Norrköping & Linköping (2002, p. 10; n.y.:8).

12. Fjärde Storstadsregionen (n.y.) Hur man bygger en ny storstadsregion, Norrköping & Linköping; http://www.twincities.se/1309.html, 2009-03-18.

13. Marknadsbolagen Norrköping & Linköping (2002, p. 3).

14. http://www.twincities.se/448.pdf, 2009-03-18.

15. http://www.twincities.se/, 2009-03-18.

16. http://www.twincities.se/, 2009-03-18.

17. http://www.twincities.se/1362.html, 2009-03-18; http://www.twincities.se/, 2009-03-18.

18. Marknadsbolagen Norrköping & Linköping (2002, pp. 4,18; n.y.:4,5,6).

19. http://www.twincities.se/448.pdf, 2009-03-18.

20. http://www.twincities.se/, 2009-03-18.

21. http://www.twincities.se/448.pdf, 2009-03-18.

22. http://www.twincities.se/1362.html, 2009-03-18.

23. http://www.twincities.se/, 2009-03-18.

24. http://www.twincities.se/, 2009-03-18.

25. http://www.twincities.se/1331.html, 2009-03-18.

26. http://www.twincities.se/1309.html, 2009-03-18.

27. http://www.twincities.se/1331.html, 2009-03-18.

28. Fjärde Storstadsregionen (n.y.) Hur man bygger en ny storstadsregion, Norrköping & Linköping, p. 4; Marknadsbolagen Norrköping & Linköping (n.y.) Mångfald; Marknadsbolagen Norrköping & Linköping (2006a) Bra draghjälp för Fjärde Storstadsregionen. Pressmeddelande; Marknadsbolagen Norrköping & Linköping (2006b) Nutek satsar på Fjärde Storstadsregionen. Pressmeddelande. 2006-07-03; http://www.twincities.se/1309.html, 2009-03-18.

29. http://www.twincities.se/1313.html, 2009-03-18.

30. Fourze (n.y.) Värdet av att våga återvända, Nr.2, pp. 10–11.