This book looks at the evolution of regional disparities in Europe in a period of profound social and economic change. It represents a thorough analysis of how local social, political, and institutional settings relate to regional economic performance and highlights the persistence of territorial disparities in Europe. One of the main strengths is its genuine comparative, EU-wide approach which in itself is a bold undertaking. The book quite convincingly demonstrates the continued importance of national frameworks for regional development and thus puts question marks over the notion of a 'Europe of the regions' without national states... the book is well worth reading.