EU accession and Spanish regional development. Winners and losers

Abstract:

This work takes a closer look at the ‘Spanish miracle’ to consider whether or not EU membership has been as beneficial as policy makers and politicians thought it might be. It is intended to offer insights that might prove valuable to the newer accession countries, and does so through an innovative comparative analysis of the experiences of Galacia and Valencian Community in Spain.

The work is comprised of six substantive chapters followed by a conclusion. Chapter one looks at autonomous regional policy-making within the EU in relation to democratization and economic development. Chapter two relates the historical background to Spain’s regional dynamics and the way regional issues entered into the constitution after Spain’s entry into the EU. Chapter three examines the implications of the Spanish accession process and its influence upon pre-existent regional conditions. Chapter four considers how EU policies have hindered regional autonomous policy-making and regional economic development. These adverse effects and the impact of EU regulatory policy are discussed further in chapter five. The inhibiting effect of clientelism upon EU regional development funding is covered in chapter six, in particular its effect in the Galicia and Valencian regions. The final chapter draws conclusions from the study and assesses what lessons might be learnt from Spain’s experience which might apply to the new accession countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

The work will interest scholars and students engaged in European studies, European enlargement and European integration.

Carolyn M. Dudek is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Hofstra University, New York.