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Assessing Subsidiarity

In: Subsidiarity and Economic Reform in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Sjef Ederveen

    (Ministry of Economic Affairs)

  • George Gelauff

    (CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis)

  • Jacques Pelkmans

    (College of Europe
    Vlerick School of Management)

Abstract

In order to provide inputs for an assessment of subsidiarity in specific policy fields, this chapter reviews the main motives for decentralization and centralization. Several motives underscore decentralization, such as the ability to align policy closer to the preferences of regional constituents or the effect of policy competition to discipline governments. In contrast, centralization may be warranted in a policy field characterized by increasing returns to scale or it may be useful if thereby it could create commitment for economic reform. However centralization may also fail to be useful, for example when local jurisdictions attempt to extract funds from the budget of a higher level of government.

Suggested Citation

  • Sjef Ederveen & George Gelauff & Jacques Pelkmans, 2008. "Assessing Subsidiarity," Springer Books, in: George Gelauff & Isabel Grilo & Arjan Lejour (ed.), Subsidiarity and Economic Reform in Europe, chapter 2, pages 19-40, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-540-77264-4_2
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-77264-4_2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Arcalean, Calin & Glomm, Gerhard & Schiopu, Ioana, 2012. "Growth effects of spatial redistribution policies," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 988-1008.
    2. repec:prg:jnlpep:v:preprint:id:698:p:1-15 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Arjan Lejour & Hugo Rojas-Romagosa, 2008. "International spillovers of domestic reforms: the joint application of the Lisbon Strategy in the EU," CPB Discussion Paper 105, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.
    4. Franz Sinabell & Hans Pitlik & Erwin Schmid, 2009. "Zukunft der Finanzierung und Ausgaben der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 36165, April.
    5. Andrii Boiar, 2019. "Optimizing the Structure of the European UnionBudget Expenditure," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2019(3), pages 348-362.
    6. Arjan Lejour, 2008. "The Principle of Subsidiarity and Innovation Support Measures," CPB Memorandum 208, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.
    7. Barrett, Alan & Barry, Frank & Van der Horst, Albert & Kearney, Ide & Lane, Philip R. & Nolan, Brian & O'Brien, Martin & Walsh, John R., 2007. "Budget Perspectives 2008," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number BMI199 edited by Callan, Tim, June.
    8. Jacques Pelkmans, 2008. "Economic Approaches of the Internal Market," Bruges European Economic Research Papers 13, European Economic Studies Department, College of Europe.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Member State; Policy Competition; Policy Field; Policy Learning; Government Failure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration

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