In Wisconsin, new regional allliances are beginning to emerge, as civic leaders in Madison and Milwaukee recognize that they have more to gain from collaboration.

Here is a good article that surveys some of the recent developments. Read more.

One interesting insight: ultimatums don't work very well. A few years ago, when the mayor and university head in Milwaukee drew a line in the sand, the folks from Madison simply walked away. And that's the point: In a networked world, people have options.

Part of the challenge of building open regional innovation systems comes in creating new civic behaviors, new habits of collaboration. That's what appears to be emerging in Wisconsin.