The Dimensions of Paradiplomacy

The chapter presents eleven dimensions of paradiplomacy discourse, i.e., eleven angles of how the phenomenon of the involvement of subnational governments in international relations can be interpreted from various research perspectives. The following dimensions are explored in the chapter: (1) Constitutional dimension; (2) Federalist dimension; (3) Nationalism dimension; (4) International Relations dimension; (5) Border Studies dimension; (6) Globalization dimension; (7) International Security/Geopolitical dimension; (8) Global Economy dimension; (9) Environmental dimension; (10) Diplomacy dimension; (11) Separatist dimension. Scholars often focus on paradiplomacy from several dimensions and analyze it from a few perspectives. Therefore, the proposed typology of dimensions defines some “ideal types” and aims to contribute towards a better understanding of the complex nature and uniqueness of the paradiplomacy phenomenon.