Creating Economic Growth: Lessons for Europe (Palgrave Advances in Regional and Urban Economics)

National-level policymaking in Europe has slowed, stalled, or failed when it comes to critical actions for spurring economic growth. In Creating Economic Growth: Lessons for Europe, Marco Magnani argues that local leaders, would-be leaders and citizen movers and shakers have an opportunity to rise to the occasion to implement a low-cost set of actions to spur growth. The author challenges feelings of economic malaise that taint the next generation's dreams of prosperity. Instead he advocates the need for people to leverage traditional strengths and commit themselves to making a difference. He provides examples of newfound vitality in locales around Europe and examines in detail his native Italy for policy weaknesses and champions of renewal. Magnani proposes a six-point comeback strategy for citizen catalysts, business leaders, organizers, and elected officials in cities, towns and provinces: build human and civic capital; unleash entrepreneurial creativity; spur new innovation; stimulate cultural creativity; leverage cultural diversity; and champion social mobility. This study provides a roadmap to a new dynamism and offers the theoretical and empirical evidence to prove it. National-level Policymaking In Europe Has Slowed, Stalled, Or Failed When It Comes To Critical Actions For Spurring Economic Growth. In Creating Economic Growth: Lessons For Europe, Marco Magnani Argues That Local Leaders, Would-be Leaders And Citizen Movers And Shakers Have An Opportunity To Rise To The Occasion To Implement A Low-cost Set Of Actions To Spur Growth. The Author Challenges Feelings Of Economic Malaise That Taint The Next Generation's Dreams Of Prosperity. Instead He Advocates The Need For People To Leverage Traditional Strengths And Commit Themselves To Making A Difference. He Provides Examples Of Newfound Vitality In Locales Around Europe And Examines In Detail His Native Italy For Policy Weaknesses And Champions Of Renewal. Magnani Proposes A Six-point Comeback Strategy For Citizen Catalysts, Business Leaders, Organizers, And Elected Officials In Cities, Towns And Provinces: Build Human And Civic Capital; Unleash Entrepreneurial Creativity; Spur New Innovation; Stimulate Cultural Creativity; Leverage Cultural Diversity; And Champion Social Mobility.--back Cover. Introduction: Rising To The Occasion -- 1. Building Assets Of Local Development -- 2. Unleashing And Stimulating Entrepreneurial Creativity -- 3. Fostering Innovation And Research -- 4. Leveraging Cultural Resources And Creativity -- 5. Making The Most Of Cultural Diversity -- 6. Championing Social Mobility -- Conclusion: New Leaders, New Growth. Marco Magnani. Includes Bibliographic References And Index. Cover; Creating Economic Growth; Contents; List of Figures; List of Tables; Preface and Acknowledgments; About the Author; Introduction: Rising to the Occasion; Local growth despite national barriers; The opportunities for local and regional leaders; Build assets for local development; Stimulate entrepreneurial creativity; Foster innovation and research; Leverage cultural resources and creativity; Make the most of cultural diversity; Champion social mobility; The Italian contribution; 1: Building Assets of Local Development; The role of human capital, civic capital, and local governance As national leaders struggle to revive their economies, the people of Europe face a stark reality, which has created an opportunity for local leaders and citizen movers and shakers to rise to the occasion to spur revitalization from the bottom up. The author offers a six-point plan to prosperity.