What kind of governance does emerge in EU cross-border regions and Southeast Asia growth triangles? Italy-Slovenia and Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore border zones revisited

This article aims to offer a theoretical background on the meaning of “governance” and “cross-border cooperation” in the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Looking at the European Union cross-border regions and Association of South East Asian Nations growth triangles, this article seeks to understand firstly what changes (if any) cross-border cooperation has occasioned in the state; secondly, whether a kind of “border governance”, that is multi-level, is emerging in cross-border areas. It will be argued that cross-border cooperation activities may contribute to transform the operation of power across the various levels of governance on a local/national/supranational level and a “new mode” of governance that is “multi-layered” can emerge from this scenario. Accordingly, the state can be both strengthened and weakened by cross-border cooperation activities. Moreover, the change that is occurring within the concept of governance cannot be fully grasped without considering the emergence and importance of networks, the impact that cross-border movements and relationships have on the livelihoods and everyday trades of the local border communities.