Abstract

The research analyzed the features of the processes of regionalization, which emerged and intensified in response to a multifaceted globalization. It was revealed that increasing the power of regional communities in the international arena resulted in emergence and development of such phenomenon as paradiplomacy, which finds itself in intensification of regional activities in international organizations and supranational entities. An important place in the article was given to the paradiplomacy concept analysis, considering that this concept is relatively new in the world of political science and is practically not used in the scientific language of our country. The research defined the basic approaches and mechanisms of actors’ activities in paradiplomacy to mobilize regional resources in order to implement initiatives to ensure the interests of the regions and their citizens in various fields. Special attention was paid to the specifics of paradiplomacy implementation by the example of functioning of the European Union, as long as its successful experience allows talking about the formation of the «Europe of Regions». The research analyzed major actors’ activities in paradiplomacy at subnational and regional levels, which are created within the cross-border cooperation. It is no coincidence that the emphasis in the article was made on the cross-border cooperation, because it allows local authorities to develop and successfully implement comprehensive economic, cultural and humanitarian programs, deal with security issues, local employment and provide health care at the appropriate level. The author paid special attention to the analysis of scientific publications devoted to the specific problems of functioning of paradiplomatic institutions in the modern world, especially in the Europe. In particular, the author examined the works of such scientists as T. Zonova, A. Kuznetsov, T. Malloy. The special place in the article was given to justify the thesis on the feasibility of intensification of paradiplomatic activity in Ukraine that will involve local communities into more active participation in the work of international and regional organizations, various programs and projects aimed at establishing cooperation with cross-border areas. The author asserted that the role of paradiplomatic activity will increase, because its emergence and functioning is an object lesson how the states and regions can reach an agreement in distribution of power authorization. The author justified the thesis that the regions with extensive legislative powers and autonomy generally develop diversified external activities more successfully and actively. The research outlined promising areas of application of paradiplomatic activity in contemporary international relations.