in order to figure out both similarities and differences in the content of the reform and the reform process. At the same time the book also discusses how and to what extent new regions are growing from below.The overall aim of the book is to outline the broader implications of the Nordic experience for the understanding of the international trend towards the development of new regions: What are the main elements in the top down reforms of regional governments? What is the content of regionalism processes from within the regions? To what extent are these processes related to each other? Are the state reforms mainly an answer to bottom up economic and social drives towards new regions? Are they rather motivated by ideas of a new regionalism which are spreading through Europe? Or are they maybe a result of a perceived need for more efficient service delivery at the regional level? By discussing these questions, the authors aim to contribute to the international discussion on new regions and regionalism.