‘Europe is sometimes credited with a ‘polis,' but not a ‘demos'. Political integration and economic globalisation cannot diminish local identity and social memories. This fascinating collection of national case studies shows why there will always be a local ‘demos' located in ecology, economy, and society. But there will never be a transnational ‘demos', precisely because locality is the basis for meaningful sustainability. Long may it triumph.' Tim O'Riordan, CSERGE, University of East Anglia 'The book offers a refreshing perspective on the diversity of Europe and at the same time, on the interdependence of the policies, economies, and societies of European countries. Going beyond the dichotomies of ‘good and bad' and ‘leaders and laggards' in environmental matters, the authors contribute to a different understanding of the North-South divide in the process of European integration.' Angela Liberatore, European Commission, Directorate General for Research ‘This is a self-consciously revisionist volume, whose findings are theoretically significant, policy-relevant, and timely. Its insistence on ‘bringing society back in,' its debunking of the notion of a ‘Mediterranean syndrome,' its emphasis on developmental ‘leapfrogging' capacity of late-comers to emerge as leaders in contexts of late modernity, and its systematic attempt to reconceptualize the politics of Europeanization should be carefully listed to students and policy-makers concerned with collective action, Southern Europe, European integration, and environmental politics.' P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, University of Athens