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In search of the ‘economic dividend’ of devolution: spatial disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation in the UK

In search of the ‘economic dividend’ of devolution: spatial disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation in the UK
In search of the ‘economic dividend’ of devolution: spatial disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation in the UK
After a decade of devolution and amid uncertainties about its effects, it is timely to assess and reflect upon the evidence and enduring meaning of any 'economic dividend' of devolution in the UK. Taking an institutionalist and quantitative approach, we seek to discern the nature and extent of any economic dividend through a conceptual and empirical analysis of the relationships between spatial disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation. Situating the UK experience within its evolving historical context, we find: (i) a varied and uneven nature of the relationships between regional disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation that change direction during specific time periods; (ii) the role of national economic growth is pivotal in explaining spatial disparities and the nature and extent of their relationship with the particular forms of spatial economic policy and decentralisation deployed; and, (iii) there is limited evidence that any economic dividend of devolution has emerged, but this remains difficult to discern because its likely effects are overridden by the role of national economic growth in decisively shaping the pattern of spatial disparities and in determining the scope and effects of spatial economic policy and decentralisation.
economic dividend, devolution, spatial disparities, spatial economic policy, decentralisation, UK
0263-774X
10-28
Pike, Andy
1d7239f2-5cb5-4a6c-bab0-114d12aa821c
Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés
a65f9ffb-4b14-4b76-bae9-200e424a1063
Tomaney, John
91924949-09e0-455c-9109-14bb80f76a0e
Torrisi, Gianpiero
f378b041-9438-43c3-ab67-13b33ee5667f
Tselios, Vassilis
a1fc70a6-a193-4075-8e36-5b07b65ebd17
Pike, Andy
1d7239f2-5cb5-4a6c-bab0-114d12aa821c
Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés
a65f9ffb-4b14-4b76-bae9-200e424a1063
Tomaney, John
91924949-09e0-455c-9109-14bb80f76a0e
Torrisi, Gianpiero
f378b041-9438-43c3-ab67-13b33ee5667f
Tselios, Vassilis
a1fc70a6-a193-4075-8e36-5b07b65ebd17

Pike, Andy, Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés, Tomaney, John, Torrisi, Gianpiero and Tselios, Vassilis (2012) In search of the ‘economic dividend’ of devolution: spatial disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation in the UK. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 30 (1), 10-28. (doi:10.1068/c10214r).

Record type: Article

Abstract

After a decade of devolution and amid uncertainties about its effects, it is timely to assess and reflect upon the evidence and enduring meaning of any 'economic dividend' of devolution in the UK. Taking an institutionalist and quantitative approach, we seek to discern the nature and extent of any economic dividend through a conceptual and empirical analysis of the relationships between spatial disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation. Situating the UK experience within its evolving historical context, we find: (i) a varied and uneven nature of the relationships between regional disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation that change direction during specific time periods; (ii) the role of national economic growth is pivotal in explaining spatial disparities and the nature and extent of their relationship with the particular forms of spatial economic policy and decentralisation deployed; and, (iii) there is limited evidence that any economic dividend of devolution has emerged, but this remains difficult to discern because its likely effects are overridden by the role of national economic growth in decisively shaping the pattern of spatial disparities and in determining the scope and effects of spatial economic policy and decentralisation.

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More information

Published date: 3 August 2012
Keywords: economic dividend, devolution, spatial disparities, spatial economic policy, decentralisation, UK
Organisations: Economy, Society and Space

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 340928
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/340928
ISSN: 0263-774X
PURE UUID: 7514a46c-fb64-4adc-a79b-0349881de036

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Date deposited: 06 Jul 2012 13:55
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 11:31

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Contributors

Author: Andy Pike
Author: Andrés Rodríguez-Pose
Author: John Tomaney
Author: Gianpiero Torrisi
Author: Vassilis Tselios

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