Paradiplomacy and Subnational Governance in International Relations

Paradiplomacy refers to the international activities undertaken by subnational governments—regions, states, provinces and municipalities—independently of, or in partnership with, their central authorities. In an increasingly multipolar and interdependent world, these actors pursue economic, environmental and cultural objectives through transnational networks, bilateral agreements and participation in global initiatives. Such engagements reshape traditional foreign policy, challenging the exclusive diplomatic prerogatives of nation-states and fostering a multilevel architecture of governance. Subnational entities leverage paradiplomatic channels to attract investment, address cross-border issues, advance sustainable development and project regional identities abroad. This phenomenon underscores the diffusion of authority across scales, with local actors exercising agency in arenas once reserved for national governments. The interplay between domestic political structures and external objectives gives rise to novel governance models, where coordination, contestation and co-production occur both vertically—between central and subnational tiers—and horizontally—among peers across borders.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A seminal study of Brazilian metropolitan climate action has illuminated how municipal governments engage in global climate governance. By examining two major cities and their participation in transnational municipal networks, the research demonstrates that local experimentation in policy design can strengthen a multilevel approach to carbon mitigation, even where evidence of direct emission reductions remains limited. It further highlights how subnational actors mobilise shared learning, technical assistance and peer collaboration to influence national commitments and institutional frameworks. This work affirms the critical role of cities in translating global accords into on-the-ground innovations, while calling for deeper analysis of cross-scale policy interactions and their cumulative impact on global climate objectives.

Paradiplomacy and Subnational Governance in International Relations publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in paradiplomacy and subnational governance in international relations across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Paradiplomacy: The conduct of international relations by subnational governments, independently or in collaboration with central authorities, to pursue their policy objectives abroad.

Subnational Governance: The exercise of political authority and administrative functions by states, regions or municipalities within a broader multilevel system.

Multilevel Governance: A framework describing the dispersion of decision-making power across local, regional, national and supranational institutions.

Sovereign Boundary Percolation: A concept denoting the processes by which subnational actors penetrate constraints on their external engagements to access global resources and partnerships.

Local Investment Promotion Agency (IPA): A dedicated subnational entity tasked with attracting and facilitating foreign investment through targeted diplomacy and marketing strategies.

References

1. Subnational politics of the urban age: evidence from Brazil on integrating global climate goals in the municipal agenda. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (2019).
2. Evidence of subnational government sovereign boundary percolation in Nigeria. Regional & Federal Studies (2024).
3. Multilevel Governance and Paradiplomacy: Lessons Learned from the Experience of InvestSP. Revista Brasileira de Política Internacional (2024).
4. More cooperation than conflict despite no ‘Third Level’? Understanding the dynamics of paradiplomacy towards the EU in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Territory Politics Governance (2024).