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

Andy Pike, Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, John Tomaney, Gianpiero Torrisi () and Vassilis Tselios
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John Tomaney: CURDS, Newcastle University

No 2011-18, Working Papers from Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados (IMDEA) Ciencias Sociales

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, this paper seeks 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 over-ridden 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.

Keywords: Economic Dividend; Devolution; Spatial Disparities; Spatial Economic Policy; Decentralisation; UK (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-10-14
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cis, nep-geo and nep-ure
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Published in Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 30(1), January 2012: 10-28

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Related works:
Working Paper: In Search of the 'Economic Dividend' of Devolution: Spatial Disparities, Spatial Economic Policy and Decentralisation in the UK (2010)
Working Paper: In search of the 'economic dividend' of devolution: spatial disparities, spatial economic policy and decentralisation in the UK (2010)
Working Paper: In search of the ‘economic dividend’ of devolution: spatial disparities, spatial economic policy and decentralisation in the UK (2010)
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