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The Global Trend towards Devolution and its Implications

Author

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  • Andrés Rodríguez-Pose
  • Nicholas Gill

Abstract

Globalisation has been accompanied by an equally global tendency towards devolution of authority and resources from nation-states to regions and localities that takes on various forms, depending upon which actors are driving the decentralisation efforts. The existence of a general trend towards devolution also has significant implications for efficiency, equity, and administration. The authors outline first the general drive towards devolution and then proceed to examine which countries are experiencing which forms of decentralisation. A theoretical argument emphasising the role of governmental legitimacy across various tiers of government is used to explain the diversity of devolution initiatives, drawing on examples that include Brazil, Mexico, India, China, the USA, and some European countries. Having supported their model of decentralisation, the authors then examine the implications of the widespread downward transfer of power towards regions. Some of the less widely discussed pitfalls of decentralisation are presented; caution in promoting devolutionary efforts is the prescription of this paper.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Nicholas Gill, 2003. "The Global Trend towards Devolution and its Implications," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 21(3), pages 333-351, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:21:y:2003:i:3:p:333-351
    DOI: 10.1068/c0235
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kevin Morgan, 2002. "English Question: Regional Perspectives on a Fractured Nation," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(7), pages 797-810.
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    4. Michael Keating, 1998. "The New Regionalism in Western Europe," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1193, March.
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    4. Goel, Rajeev K. & Mazhar, Ummad & Nelson, Michael A. & Ram, Rati, 2017. "Different forms of decentralization and their impact on government performance: Micro-level evidence from 113 countries," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 171-183.
    5. Britteon, Philip & Fatimah, Alfariany & Gillibrand, Stephanie & Lau, Yiu-Shing & Anselmi, Laura & Wilson, Paul & Sutton, Matt & Turner, Alex J., 2024. "The impact of devolution on local health systems: Evidence from Greater Manchester, England," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    6. Nasrun Annahar & Ida Widianingsih & Entang Adhy Muhtar & Caroline Paskarina, 2023. "The Road to Inclusive Decentralized Village Governance in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.
    7. Monios, Jason, 2019. "Polycentric port governance," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 26-36.
    8. Monios, Jason & Lambert, Bruce, 2013. "The Heartland Intermodal Corridor: public private partnerships and the transformation of institutional settings," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 36-45.
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    10. Fitjar, Rune Dahl, 2017. "Mot en regional innovasjonspolitikk?," UiS Working Papers in Economics and Finance 2017/9, University of Stavanger.

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