Region und Netzwerke. Aktuelle Aspekte zu einem Spannungsverhältnis

Why have we lately seen a renaissance of the concept of „region” in the social sciences? The author explores changing perspectives on this concept against a background of technical and social development. While the electronic media allow networking as a form of cooperation that is motivated by functional aspects and exceeds regional boundaries, cooperation within the physical boundaries of a region is facilitated by ease of personal contacts, shared facilities and common institutions. Both tendencies will work together in a process of regionalisation towards decentralised, semi-autonomous governance systems.