IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/envira/v37y2005i10p1837-1855.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Growth, Integration, and Regional Disparities in the European Union

Author

Listed:
  • George Petrakos

    (Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 38334 Volos, Greece)

  • Andrés Rodríguez-Pose

    (Department of Geography and Environment, London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, England)

  • Antonis Rovolis

    (Department of Geography, Harokopio University, El Venizelou 70, 17671 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

In this paper we challenge the ability of the conventional methods initiated by Barro and Sala-i-Martin in the early 1990s to detect actual convergence or divergence trends across countries or regions and suggest an alternative dynamic framework of analysis, which allows for a better understanding of the forces in operation. With the use of a SURE model and time-series data for eight European Union (EU) member states, we test directly for the validity of two competing hypotheses: the neoclassical (NC) convergence hypothesis originating in the work of Solow and the cumulative causation hypothesis stemming from Myrdal's theories. We also account for changes in the external environment, such as the role of European integration on the level of regional disparities. Our findings indicate that both short-term divergence and long-term convergence processes coexist. Regional disparities are reported to follow a procyclical pattern, as dynamic and developed regions grow faster in periods of expansion and slower in periods of recession. At the same time, significant spread effects are also in operation, partly offsetting the cumulative impact of growth on space. Similar results are obtained from the estimation of an intra-EU model of disparities at the national level, indicating that the forces in operation are independent of the level of aggregation. Our findings challenge the view of economic growth as the main driver for a reduction of regional disparities and contribute to the growing scientific evidence that points towards the need to rethink current EU-wide regional development policies.

Suggested Citation

  • George Petrakos & Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Antonis Rovolis, 2005. "Growth, Integration, and Regional Disparities in the European Union," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 37(10), pages 1837-1855, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:37:y:2005:i:10:p:1837-1855
    DOI: 10.1068/a37348
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1068/a37348
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1068/a37348?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raffaele Paci & Francesco Pigliaru, 1999. "Is dualism still a source of convergence in Europe?," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(11), pages 1423-1436.
    2. Willem Molle & Sjaak Boeckhout, 1995. "Economic Disparity Under Conditions Of Integration — A Long Term View Of The European Case," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(2), pages 105-123, April.
    3. Wheaton, William C & Shishido, Hisanobu, 1981. "Urban Concentration, Agglomeration Economies, and the Level of Economic Development," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 30(1), pages 17-30, October.
    4. Juan R. Cuadrado-Roura, 2001. "Regional convergence in the European Union: From hypothesis to the actual trends," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 35(3), pages 333-356.
    5. Bernard Fingleton (ed.), 2003. "European Regional Growth," Advances in Spatial Science, Springer, number 978-3-662-07136-6.
    6. Segal, David, 1976. "Are There Returns to Scale in City Size?," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 58(3), pages 339-350, August.
    7. Andres RodrIguez-Pose & Ugo Fratesi†, 2004. "Between Development and Social Policies: The Impact of European Structural Funds in Objective 1 Regions," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(1), pages 97-113.
    8. Cem Ertur & Julie Gallo, 2003. "An Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis of European Regional Disparities, 1980–1995," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Bernard Fingleton (ed.), European Regional Growth, chapter 2, pages 55-97, Springer.
    9. Magrini, Stefano, 1999. "The evolution of income disparities among the regions of the European Union," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(2), pages 257-281, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Stefania Oppido & Stefania Ragozino & Gabriella Esposito De Vita, 2023. "Peripheral, Marginal, or Non-Core Areas? Setting the Context to Deal with Territorial Inequalities through a Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-36, July.
    2. Elezi, Shiret, 2024. "The impact of Fiscal decentralization on regional development," MPRA Paper 120847, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Riccardo Crescenzi & George Petrakos, 2016. "The European Union and its neighboring countries: The economic geography of trade, Foreign Direct Investment and development," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 34(4), pages 581-591, June.
    4. Panagiotis Artelaris, 2021. "Regional economic growth and inequality in Greece," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(1), pages 141-158, February.
    5. Hans Kramar, 2016. "Regional convergence and economic development in the EU: the relation between national growth and regional disparities within the old and the new member states," International Journal of Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, International Journal of Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, vol. 6(1), pages 1052-1052.
    6. Manolis Christofakis & Athanasios Papadaskalopoulos, 2011. "Cohesion policy and regional disparities: The recent experience of Greece," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 26(6-7), pages 517-531, September.
    7. Arvanitidis Paschalis & Kollias Christos, 2016. "Converging Defence Burdens? Some Further Findings," Peace Economics, Peace Science, and Public Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 22(4), pages 365-375, December.
    8. Kyriacou, Andreas & Morral-Palacín, Noemí, 2015. "Secessionism and the Quality of Government: Evidence from a Sample of OECD Countries," MPRA Paper 116307, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Panagiotis Artelaris & George Petrakos, 2016. "Intraregional Spatial Inequalities and Regional Income Level in the European Union," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 39(3), pages 291-317, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Stavros Rodokanakis, 2006. "“How Effective are the Regional Policies of Convergence in the EU?”," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3-4), pages 59-74.
    2. Eckey, Hans-Friedrich & Türck, Matthias, 2007. "Convergence of EU-Regions. A Literature Report," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 10, pages 5-32.
    3. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Montserrat Vilalta-Bufí, 2005. "Education, migration, and job satisfaction: the regional returns of human capital in the EU," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 5(5), pages 545-566, October.
    4. Jesus Lopez-Rodriguez & Andres Faiña, 2009. "Regional Policy and Convergence in Europe: The Case of Backward Regions," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 29(2), pages 1046-1053.
    5. Roberto Esposti, 2008. "Regional growth convergence and EU policies: Empirical evidence and measuring problems," CESifo Forum, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 9(01), pages 14-22, April.
    6. Mindaugas Butkus & Diana Cibulskiene & Alma Maciulyte-Sniukiene & Kristina Matuzeviciute, 2018. "What Is the Evolution of Convergence in the EU? Decomposing EU Disparities up to NUTS 3 Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-37, May.
    7. Riccardo Crescenzi & Fabrizio De Filippis & Fabio Pierangeli, 2015. "In Tandem for Cohesion? Synergies and Conflicts between Regional and Agricultural Policies of the European Union," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(4), pages 681-704, April.
    8. Friso Schlitte & Tiiu Paas, 2008. "Regional Income Inequality and Convergence Processes in the EU-25," SCIENZE REGIONALI, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2008(Suppl. 2), pages 29-49.
    9. Kurt Geppert & Andreas Stephan, 2008. "Regional disparities in the European Union: Convergence and agglomeration," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 87(2), pages 193-217, June.
    10. Miguel A Márquez & Julián Ramajo & Geoffrey J D Hewings, 2006. "Dynamic Effects within a Regional System: An Empirical Approach," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 38(4), pages 711-732, April.
    11. Andres RodrIguez-Pose & Ugo Fratesi†, 2004. "Between Development and Social Policies: The Impact of European Structural Funds in Objective 1 Regions," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(1), pages 97-113.
    12. Evert Meijers & Krister Sandberg, 2006. "Polycentric Development to Combat Regional Disparities? the Relation Between Polycentricity and Regional Disparities in European Countries," ERSA conference papers ersa06p287, European Regional Science Association.
    13. Montresor, Elisa & Pecci, Francesco & Pontarollo, Nicola, 2011. "The convergence process of the European regions: the role of Regional Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy," Studies in Agricultural Economics, Research Institute for Agricultural Economics, vol. 113(2), pages 1-11.
    14. Sergio J. Rey & Mark V. Janikas, 2003. "Convergence and space," Urban/Regional 0311002, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 16 Nov 2003.
    15. Sergio J. Rey & Mark V. Janikas, 2005. "Regional convergence, inequality, and space," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 5(2), pages 155-176, April.
    16. Elisa Montresor & Francesco Pecci & Nicola Pontarollo, 2010. "The evaluation of european structural funds on economic convergence with the application of spatial filtering technique," Working Papers 07/2010, University of Verona, Department of Economics.
    17. Melanie Rapino & Benjamin Spaulding & Dean M. Hanink, 2006. "Have Per Capita Earnings and Income Converged across New England?," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 620-637, December.
    18. Don J. Webber & Min-Hua Jen & Eoin O'Leary, 2014. "Regional productivity in a multi-speed Europe," Working Papers 20141408, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol.
    19. Andrés Maroto Sánchez & Juan Ramón Cuadrado Roura, 2008. "New Regional convergence in productivity and productive structure. Application to European Southern countries," Working Papers 11/08, Instituto Universitario de Análisis Económico y Social.
    20. Giuseppe Arbia & Jean H. P. Paelinck, 2003. "Spatial Econometric Modeling of Regional Convergence in Continuous Time," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 26(3), pages 342-362, July.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:37:y:2005:i:10:p:1837-1855. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.