England and the 'New Regionalism'

This article investigates recent claims concerining the 'new regionalism' - that is, the 're-emergence' of the region and a unit of economic analysis and the territorial sphere most suited to the interaction of political, social and economic progress in the era of 'globalization'.  It is also borne out of an interest in the changing pattern of territorial partnerships in the UK and the implications of this for the English regions in general, and the North East of England in particular.