Cross-level Reform Dynamics in Amalgamation Reforms

Abstract

This panel aims at contributing to the knowledge about amalgamation reforms in Europe and specifically, the dynamics between central-level reform tools and local-level processes. European countries differ in the way they organize government at the sub-national level. In most European countries however, central government has increasingly taken interest in local government as a vehicle for service delivery. Over time, the organization of central-local relations has evolved towards a greater degree of integration between the tiers of government (Goldsmith & Page 2010). Amalgamation reform has been one among several strategies intended to link the central and local government closer together. Thus, reforms may be viewed from the vantage point of central authorities or local authorities. In the first perspective, amalgamation reform is basically one reform covering potentially the entire territory of a country. In the second perspective, amalgamation reforms are many reforms taking different trajectories in different local settings. However, the dynamics between central reform tools and local reform efforts is inadequately understood. What characterizes centrally formulated reform tools? Are they typified by hard or soft tools? How much leeway do they give for local processes? How do centrally formulated reform strategies affect the way local processes unfold? Is there variation in the way central impulses are interpreted locally? We are interested in papers that take both the central and the local perspective, but mainly papers that focus on how reform processes at these two levels interact. Additionally, we strongly encourage papers that compare reform processes across countries. [Note: Paper presentations submitted for this panel by Alistair Jones and Caroline Temmerman could not be registered due to lacking registration for myECPR profile but should be included in the panel]