an article by Robin Hambleton (University of the West of England, UK) published in Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit Volume 32 Issue 1 (2017)
Abstract
In a stream of high-profile announcements, the UK central government has said that it wants to devolve power to sub-regions within England – to city regions and across the country.
This article presents evidence to show that the actual intent of government policy is the reverse. Instead of promoting the creation of powerful, independent sub-regional authorities, answerable to the citizens who elected them, the government is seeking to impose a super-centralised model of decision-making in which locally elected politicians are required to comply with central directives.
By drawing on work with city region leaders in England, the article develops criteria for assessing sub-regional governance. Inspirational examples of city region governance in other countries are presented.
These examples show that the current super-centralisation of the English state is out of step with progressive policy making in other countries.
Suggestions on how to develop real devolution in England are outlined.
Showing posts with label decentralisation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decentralisation. Show all posts
Friday, 31 March 2017
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Collective bargaining systems and macroeconomic and microeconomic flexibility: the quest for appropriate institutional forms in advanced economies
an article by John T Addison (University of South Carolina and Durham University Business School) published in IZA Journal of Labor Policy Volume 5 Article 19 (2016)
Abstract
This paper addresses the design of the machinery of collective bargaining from the perspective of microeconomic and macroeconomic flexibility.
In the former context, somewhat greater attention is given over to enterprise flexibility than external adjustment. In the latter context, close attention is also paid to changes in collective bargaining along the dimensions of bargaining coverage, structure, and coordination.
Support is adduced for the German, contemporary Scandinavian, and British models.
The role of trust in securing micro and macro flexibility also receives attention, suggesting that the polder or Dutch model might also be expected to populate the firmament of fit-for-purpose collective bargaining arrangements.
JEL Classification: D02, E02, E24, E25, E61, JO8 J51, J52, J53, J58, P51
Full text (HTML)
Abstract
This paper addresses the design of the machinery of collective bargaining from the perspective of microeconomic and macroeconomic flexibility.
In the former context, somewhat greater attention is given over to enterprise flexibility than external adjustment. In the latter context, close attention is also paid to changes in collective bargaining along the dimensions of bargaining coverage, structure, and coordination.
Support is adduced for the German, contemporary Scandinavian, and British models.
The role of trust in securing micro and macro flexibility also receives attention, suggesting that the polder or Dutch model might also be expected to populate the firmament of fit-for-purpose collective bargaining arrangements.
JEL Classification: D02, E02, E24, E25, E61, JO8 J51, J52, J53, J58, P51
Full text (HTML)
Friday, 19 July 2013
Economic place making: policy messages for European cities
an article by Michael Parkinson and Richard Meegan (Liverpool John Moores University, UK) published in Policy Studies Volume 34 Issue 3 (May 2013)
Abstract
The global recession, Eurozone crisis and austerity programmes have had a huge impact upon the European economy and present even greater future threats. They have sharpened debates about policies for recovery and the role that different territories can play in this. In this context in particular they have encouraged a debate about the economic contribution of capital and non-capital cities and whether countries perform better if they concentrate their investment in their capitals or spread investment across a wider set of cities.
Drawing on the findings of a recently completed study of European second-tier cities and a review of the academic and policy literature on local and regional economic development, the paper argues the case for a ‘place-based’ approach to support second-tier cities across Europe.
The key policy messages of this approach for policy-makers at national and European levels are highlighted.
Abstract
The global recession, Eurozone crisis and austerity programmes have had a huge impact upon the European economy and present even greater future threats. They have sharpened debates about policies for recovery and the role that different territories can play in this. In this context in particular they have encouraged a debate about the economic contribution of capital and non-capital cities and whether countries perform better if they concentrate their investment in their capitals or spread investment across a wider set of cities.
Drawing on the findings of a recently completed study of European second-tier cities and a review of the academic and policy literature on local and regional economic development, the paper argues the case for a ‘place-based’ approach to support second-tier cities across Europe.
The key policy messages of this approach for policy-makers at national and European levels are highlighted.
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Centrifugal schooling: third sector policy networks and the reassembling of curriculum policy in England
an article by Ben Williamson (University of Exeter, UK) published in Journal of Education Policy Volume 27 Issue 6 (November 2012)
Abstract
This article examines changes in curriculum policy in secondary education in England.
It is concerned with recent curriculum policy and reform, and the proliferation of non-government actors in curriculum policy creation.
It examines the emergence of a loose alliance of third sector organisations and their involvement in a series of alternative ‘curriculum experiments’.
The third sector curriculum policy network revolves around a policy vision of decentralisation constituted by public-private partnership, media-friendliness, social enterprise and an ‘open source’ or network-based organisational logic. It assembles a policy ideal of ‘centrifugal schooling’ which links together ideas about ‘networked governance’ with ‘flexible’ learning and ‘entrepreneurial’ curricula.
The article traces and discusses some of the inter-organisational relations, materials and discourses of the third sector network of alternative curriculum policy developments, and provides a case study of a prototypical third sector curriculum programme. It examines the organisational relations and practices by which the project was produced and the conditions leading to its failure.
Abstract
This article examines changes in curriculum policy in secondary education in England.
It is concerned with recent curriculum policy and reform, and the proliferation of non-government actors in curriculum policy creation.
It examines the emergence of a loose alliance of third sector organisations and their involvement in a series of alternative ‘curriculum experiments’.
The third sector curriculum policy network revolves around a policy vision of decentralisation constituted by public-private partnership, media-friendliness, social enterprise and an ‘open source’ or network-based organisational logic. It assembles a policy ideal of ‘centrifugal schooling’ which links together ideas about ‘networked governance’ with ‘flexible’ learning and ‘entrepreneurial’ curricula.
The article traces and discusses some of the inter-organisational relations, materials and discourses of the third sector network of alternative curriculum policy developments, and provides a case study of a prototypical third sector curriculum programme. It examines the organisational relations and practices by which the project was produced and the conditions leading to its failure.
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