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Decentralization and Football

Author

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  • Ignacio Lago
  • Carlos Lago‐Peñas
  • Santiago Lago‐Peñas

Abstract

Objectives We show that decentralization of economic and political power makes a substantial difference in football. Decentralization increases the competitive balance of domestic football leagues and creates an advantage for clubs from decentralized countries in international competitions. Methods We run pooled cross‐sectional time‐series analyses using data from 35 European countries over the period 1950–2010 and logistic regressions with data from the first 18 editions of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League. Results We find that regional autonomy boosts the competition among clubs from different regions and results in a greater competitive balance of domestic football leagues. Clubs from decentralized countries have a greater chance of winning, or at least playing in the final, than those from centralized countries. Conclusions The degree of countries’ political and economic decentralization positively increases the likelihood of winning football international trophies.

Suggested Citation

  • Ignacio Lago & Carlos Lago‐Peñas & Santiago Lago‐Peñas, 2019. "Decentralization and Football," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 100(1), pages 163-175, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:100:y:2019:i:1:p:163-175
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12564
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jorge Martinez-Vazquez & Santiago Lago-Peñas & Agnese Sacchi, 2017. "The Impact Of Fiscal Decentralization: A Survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1095-1129, September.
    2. Ignacio Lago & Carlos Lago-Peñas & Santiago Lago-Peñas, 2016. "Democracy and Football," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 97(5), pages 1282-1294, November.
    3. Wladimir Andreff, 2015. "Disequilibrium Sports Economics: Competitive Imbalance and Budget Constraints," Post-Print hal-01305633, HAL.
    4. Jeffery Borland, 2003. "Demand for Sport," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 19(4), pages 478-502, Winter.
    5. Wladimir Andreff, 2015. "Disequilibrium Sports Economics: Competitive Imbalance and Budget Constraints," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-01305633, HAL.
    6. Brancati, Dawn, 2008. "The Origins and Strengths of Regional Parties," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 38(1), pages 135-159, January.
    7. World Bank & Asian Development Bank & United Nations Development Program, 2000. "Vietnam 2010 : Entering the 21st Century," World Bank Publications - Reports 14977, The World Bank Group.
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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Luis Gómez-Reino & Jorge Martinez-Vazquez, 2013. "An international perspective on the determinants of local government fragmentation," Chapters, in: Santiago Lago-Peñas & Jorge Martinez-Vazquez (ed.), The Challenge of Local Government Size, chapter 2, pages 8-54, Edward Elgar Publishing.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General
    • H50 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - General
    • H62 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Deficit; Surplus

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