Localism and Centralism in Europe
The Political and Legal Bases of Local Self-Government
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:28th Nov '91
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book explores the varying degrees of centralization in national and local governments across Britain, France, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and Spain, highlighting the implications for local policy-making and governance.
Localism and Centralism in Europe explores the varying degrees of centralization among different European countries, focusing on the intricate relationships between national and local governments. The book delves into the contrasting responsibilities assigned to local governments across nations such as Britain, France, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and Spain. It highlights how, in some countries, local authorities manage a broad spectrum of public services, while in others, these responsibilities are primarily handled by national or non-local entities. This distinction raises important questions about the nature of governance and service delivery in different contexts.
The author examines the oversight that national governments exert over local administrations, noting that this oversight varies significantly from one country to another. Some local politicians wield considerable influence over national policies, while in other nations, their voices are less impactful. By analyzing these dynamics, the book sheds light on the historical and political factors that have shaped the governance structures in southern and northern Europe, revealing how these patterns of development contribute to the current state of localism and centralism.
Ultimately, Localism and Centralism in Europe provides a comprehensive assessment of the legal and political foundations that underpin national-local relationships. It also discusses the implications of these differences for local policy-making, offering insights into how governance structures can affect the delivery of public services and the overall effectiveness of government at various levels. This examination not only enhances our understanding of European governance but also prompts reflection on the broader implications for democratic engagement and accountability within different political systems.
`This series provides a welcome and much needed boost for a more analytical and theoretically informed treatment of west European politics. Professor Patrick Dunleavy
'Dr Page's interesting paradox that the political importance of local government may be in inverse proportion to its functions conveys a message for councillors in this country.' Rodney Brooke, MT & AMA News, May 1992
'It is a work of genuine comparison, covering the relationship between central and local government in seven countries. His analysis is careful, rigorous and subtle, and aware of history and the particular circumstances of each country. It is a major work of comparative inquiry, stimulating, illuminating and suggestive of further questions.' G.W. Jones, Government and Opposition, October, Vol. 27, No. 4, 1992
'The book can be well recommended for its pioneering nature and the information that it brings together.' Alan Norton, Institute of Local Government Studies, Local Government Studies, Vol. 18, No. 2, Summer '92
'If the old questions about center-local relations come back to haunt Page it is not for lack of an ingenious and provoking effort to simplify the problem. Every student of decentralization should read this book carefully.' Douglas E. Ashford, University of Pittsburgh, APSR
`one of the more original and coherent efforts to plumb the mysteries of center-local relations in Western Europe ... Remarkably stripped of jargon and unaffected by the many nefarious efforts to quantify center-local relations ... If the old questions about center-local relations come back to haunt Page, it is not for lack of an ingenious and provoking effort to simplify the problem. Every student of decentralization should read this book carefully.' Comparative Politics
`Page's book will be of interest to students of politics outside the ranks of local government-experts. Relations between levels of government - local, regional, national and European - are likely to be a research theme of growing importance in Europe, and Page often offers valuable information and thoughtful arguments.' Public Administration
ISBN: 9780198277279
Dimensions: 222mm x 145mm x 17mm
Weight: 372g
200 pages