Regional Public Policy Convergence and Divergence

Abstract

This Panel aims to address the question of what determines the policy decisions of regional governments and what shapes the patterns of policy convergence and divergence between the regions of multi-level states. The panel wishes to examine how structural, institutional, ideational and political factors interact to produce patterns of convergence and divergence across different policy areas related to the management of regional space, the regional economy and the regional identity, such as: economic policy, energy, transport and environment policy; welfare policy; education, culture and language policy; immigration and integration policy. The Panel welcome Papers adopting a plurality of methods and approaches, from single-case studies, comparative case-studies and quantitative analyses, applied in regions across a range of multi-level systems.