French participation in transnational migration networks: understanding city (dis)involvement and “passivism”

European city network on migrants with irregular status: Exploring functions and outcomes on a sensitive policy issue

“…In turn, that had shifted politicians’ perceptions on hearing its approach described as good practice; substantiation which would help officials retain political and financial support for the services provided. As others have found (Fourot et al., 2021), however, evidence of wider outcomes for local stakeholders was limited.…”

“…While the literature has largely focused on these external functions, we know less about networks’ internal dynamics, the factors which shape them, and the implications. Recent comparative work on French cities (Fourot et al., 2021), and on French and Italian cities ( Caponio & Clément, 2021) has thrown light on the “passivism” of some members. Discomfort with a network's priorities, lack of consistency within a city council on its own approach, changes in political leadership and lack of “network professionals” who use their personal contacts to sustain networks, are among the reasons for cities selectively distancing themselves from a network's activities.…”

“…Discomfort with a network's priorities, lack of consistency within a city council on its own approach, changes in political leadership and lack of “network professionals” who use their personal contacts to sustain networks, are among the reasons for cities selectively distancing themselves from a network's activities. This demonstrates the importance of understanding the factors that shape the nature of cities’ engagement, and of distinguishing between the apparent robustness of a network and the varying degrees of participation of its members (Caponio & Clément, 2021; Fourot et al., 2021).…”

“…While the literature has largely focused on these external functions, we know less about networks' internal dynamics, the factors which shape them, and the implications. Recent comparative work on French cities (Fourot et al, 2021), and on French and Italian cities ( Caponio & Clément, 2021) has thrown light on the "passivism" of some members.…”

“…Researchers have found tangible outcomes of networks difficult to evidence; a gap between stated instrumental aims and the continuing, divergent approaches of municipalities at local level, and greater interest among participants in symbolic aims than practical reforms (Fourot et al., 2021). Is it then those less tangible symbolic goals that explain why there is such a proliferation of TMNs, some municipalities engaging in a multiplicity of them within the same field?…”