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In analyzing European institutional structures, the multilevel governance literature speaks of mutual interdependence, of cooperative & coordinated processes between different levels of authority. The emergence of these processes is sometimes associated with the disappearance of hierarchical relationships organized across vertical channels of communication. This type of hierarchy, which is declared "eroded," is not further specified. In the first part of the article, a definition of hierarchy is given & an attempt is made to develop a diversified concept of hierarchy consisting of two types: unilateral & asymmetrically interdependent. The second part applies this modified concept of hierarchy to relationship structures in those federations that are part of the European multilevel polity, & examines the types of hierarchy that exist between federal & federated levels when the latter act within the European framework. The external policies of German & Belgian federated units are analyzed in a comparative perspective. Adapted from the source document.