Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe : A Comparative and Thematic Analysis

Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe discusses the institutional features of federalism and regionalism and brings in recent insights from the viewpoint of neo-institutional scholarship. Rather than providing a case-by-case approach, the book offers a thematic analysis of federalism and regionalism. Apart from debating definitions and institutional features of federalism and regionalism, the book also analyzes and explains varieties in the allocation of resources, in the political decision-making process and in the policy content and problem-solving capacity of West-European federal and regional states. Federalism And Regionalism In Western Europe Seeks To Clarify The Relevance, Problems And Consequences Of Operating Federal Systems Of Government In Western Europe. It Discusses The Institutional Features Of Federalism And Regionalism And Brings In Recent Insights From The Viewpoint Of Neo-institutional Scholarship. Rather Than Providing A Case-by-case Approach, The Book Offers A Thematic Analysis Of Federalism And Regionalism. In Addition To Debating Definitions And Institutional Features Of Federalism And Regionalism, The Book Also Analyzes And Explains Varieties In The Allocation Of Resources, In The Political Decision-making Process And In The Policy Content And Problem-solving Capacity Of West-european Federal And Regional States. Comparative Federalism And Regionalism In Western Europe: A Conceptual Overview -- The Origins Of Federalism And Regionalism In Western Europe -- The Centre And The Regions: The Constitutional Approach -- The Centre And The Regions: The Political Economy Approach -- The Centre, The Regions And The Party System -- Intergovernmental Relations And Public Policy -- The Centre, The Regions And Plurinationalism. Wilfried Swenden. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 298-317) And Index. Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe seeks to clarify the relevance, problems and consequences of operating federal systems of government in Western Europe. The book analyzes and explains varieties in the allocation of resources, the decision-making process and problem-solving capacity of West-European federal and regional states. Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe seeks to clarify the relevance, problems and consequences of operating federal systems of government in Western Europe. It discusses the institutional features of federalism and regionalism and brings in recent insights from the viewpoint of neo-institutional scholarship. Rather than providing a case-by-case approach, the book offers a thematic analysis of federalism and regionalism. In addition to debating definitions and institutional features of federalism and regionalism, the book also analyzes and explains varieties in the allocation of resources, in the political decision-making process and in the policy content and problem-solving capacity of West-European federal and regional states "[T]his is a great work of synthesis, which offers us for the first time a comprehensive and detailed analysis of federalism in Europe and sets new and impressive standards in this sub-field of the literature. It is likely to remain the work of reference on European federalism for a long time to come. As such, it is without doubt essential reading for those interested in the federal and quasi-federal systems of today's Europe and it is also highly recommended to anyone with a general interest in federalism. Readers of this journal should warmly welcome its publication ... This is definitely a book that deserves to be widely read and its author deserves our congratulations."--Paolo Dardanelli, Regional and Federal Studies Front Matter....Pages i-xv Introduction....Pages 1-5 Comparative Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe: a Conceptual Overview....Pages 6-21 The Origins of Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe....Pages 22-47 The Centre and the Regions: the Constitutional Approach....Pages 48-93 The Centre and the Regions: the Political Economy Approach....Pages 94-140 The Centre, the Regions and the Party System....Pages 141-187 Intergovernmental Relations and Public Policy....Pages 188-243 The Centre, the Regions and Plurinationalism....Pages 244-290 Back Matter....Pages 291-325 Seeking to clarify the relevance, problems and consequences of operating federal systems of government in Western Europe, this book discusses the institutional features of federalism and regionalism and brings in recent insights, from the viewpoint of neo-institutional scholarship