ABSTRACT
The chapter is divided into two parts: the first part will place subnational state actors in the context of the debate on the legitimacy and democracy of RIOs; the second will analyze the role of subnational state actors in Mercosur. In the case of Mercosur, both the domestic political system of the member states and the original institutional design of this RIO have discouraged the participation of subnational state actors in regional governance. These two dimensions are analyzed in the following section, focusing on Argentina and Brazil. It is possible to say, therefore, that the increased role of subnational state actors in Argentina and Brazil can contribute to the legitimacy of the national political process if, and only if, it is combined with strict mechanisms of control. The chapter shows that despite unfavourable initial conditions, due to the political systems of Mercosur member states and its original institutional design, subnational state actors are increasingly participating, in Mercosur regional governance.
