Culture, institutions and economic development. A study of eight European regions

Book abstract:

National sovereignty and the threats posed by European Federalism has captured many of the headlines in the European debate. Behind those headlines Europe has experienced a much less publicised but none the less influential phenomenon - the growth of regional development. The factors giving rise to this are explored in this book, which has its origins in a question about the relationship between culture and regional economic development. The authors examine regional development in all its complexities - economic, social, cultural, environmental and political - and compare the balance of these elements across eight distinct regions. All eight are chosen as historic and culturally specific regions. The authors explore both the strategies and styles of development in these regions and the role of political players and interest groups of social coalescence. Whilst the emphasis is on economic development time is given to assess the qualitative issues of linguistic and cultural policy, social inclusion and environmental policy. Some show concern about political autonomy, others have cultural ambitions but the common denominator embraced by all is economic development and its contingent opportunities of inward investment, markets and technology.
The book will interest students and academics engaged in the fields of European studies, regional development and political sciences.
Michael Keating is Professor of Regional Studies at the European University Institute, Florence, Italy and Professor of Scottish Politics at the University of Aberdeen, UK.
John Loughlin is Professor of European Politics at Cardiff University, UK.
Kris Deschouwer is Professor of Political Science at the Free University of Brussels, Belgium.