States of convergence in territorial governance

Cole, Alistair;de Visscher, Christian;Pasquier, Romain;Stafford, Ian;Harguindéguy, Jean-Baptiste
(2014) Publius : the journal of federalism — Vol. 45, n° 2, p. 297-321 (2014)

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Authors
  • Cole, AlistairInstitute of Political Studies Lyons
    Author
  • Author
  • Pasquier, RomainInstitute of Political Studies Rennes
    Author
  • Stafford, IanCardiff University
    Author
  • Harguindéguy, Jean-BaptisteUniversidad Pablo Olavide
    Author
Abstract
This article engages questions of policy convergence and divergence in four social-democratic European regions (Andalucía, Brittany, Wales, and Wallonia) in a period of economic crisis and ongoing political decentralization. It develops an analytical framework, the "States of Convergence," as a useful heuristic for understanding the interplay between convergence and divergence pressures, and processes of territorial adaptation and translation. Processes of hard and soft convergence and divergence operate in distinctive ways depending upon whether inputs, outcomes, processes, or institutions are considered. Hard convergence arguments are most convincing in terms of inputs (referring to pressures of international ranking and rating, tougher European Union budgetary rules, enhanced central steering and tighter controls on public expenditure). They are less cogent for understanding outputs, institutions, and processes.
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Cole, A., de Visscher, C., Pasquier, R., Stafford, I., & Harguindéguy, J.-B. (2014). States of convergence in territorial governance. Publius : the journal of federalism, 45(2), 297-321. https://doi.org/10.1093/publius/pjv001 (Original work published 2014)