Role of city councils in the creation and scrutiny of international cities’ cooperation

Abstract

The growing role of cities in international relations and their impact on nation-states have been unprecedented in recent decades. What has yet to be revealed is the part city councils play in this process. This article aims to examine whether city councils are active participants or are dominated by mayors and to classify what tools they have at their disposal to exert influence in cities’ international cooperation. The research methods include desk research of strategy documents and multiple case studies. The information was obtained primarily from the respective city councils as well as via interviews with the international affairs officers of examined cities. In conclusion, the authors state that the role of city councils in creating and scrutinizing international cooperation is relatively narrow, and the whole activity of cities is determined mainly by the mayors’ leadership and perception of international cooperation.