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Urban Capitalisms: European Models in Competition

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  • DOMINIQUE LORRAIN

Abstract

This article takes as its starting point a central issue for the urban social sciences: comparison. Local government is a theme where much is singular, contingent and idiosyncratic, and international comparison reinforces this tendency towards diversity. Therefore, the capacity to generalize becomes a real issue. The central argument of this article is that, beyond any first‐level complexity, the organization of the urban services sector in European countries basically follows three major ‘models’. These simplified forms represent ways of combining public policy principles with a market economy. As such, they may be read as specific versions of urban capitalism. All three ‘models’ are European in origin, and nowadays find themselves in competition. In order to establish the features of these models — simplified forms of more complex phenomena — it is necessary to introduce a historical reading of overall choices of institutional and policy architecture. It is necessary to trace the importance of firms and to study the momentum of crisis and tension, as these give an internal view of phenomena that are generally regarded as natural. Ce texte part d’un problème central pour les sciences sociales urbaines, celui de la comparaison. L’objet urbain pousse à la singularité; les comparaisons internationales renforcent cette tendance; se pose donc un vrai problème de généralisation. La thèse soutenue est qu’au‐delà de toute complexité de premier rang, constatée dans l’organisation de chaque service urbain dans les pays européens, ceux‐ci au fond ressortent de trois grands modèles. Ces formes simplifiées, ou modèles, représentent autant de manières de combiner des principes d’action publique à une économie de marché; on peut les lire comme autant de versions du capitalisme urbain. En étant tous les trois représentés en Europe ces ‘modèles’ se trouvent aujourd’hui en compétition. Pour parvenir à dégager ces propriétés modéliques, formes simplifiées de phénomènes plus complexes, il convient d’introduire une lecture historique des grands choix en matières d’architectures institutionnelles et politiques. Il faut accorder de l’importance aux firmes et suivre les moments de mise en tension; ils permettent de saisir ce qui semble naturel dans le fonctionnement ordinaire.

Suggested Citation

  • Dominique Lorrain, 2005. "Urban Capitalisms: European Models in Competition," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 231-267, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:29:y:2005:i:2:p:231-267
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2005.00583.x
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    1. Gurr, Ted Robert & King, Desmond, 1987. "The State and the City," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226310909, December.
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    1. Thomas Bolognesi, 2014. "Analyse structurelle des systèmes hydriques urbains en Europe : aspects organisationnels et défis patrimoniaux," Post-Print hal-01079092, HAL.
    2. Defeuilley, Christophe, 2019. "Energy transition and the future(s) of the electricity sector," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 97-105.
    3. Thomas Bolognesi & Florence Metz & Stéphane Nahrath, 2021. "Institutional complexity traps in policy integration processes: a long-term perspective on Swiss flood risk management," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 54(4), pages 911-941, December.
    4. Stefano Cl? & Marco Di Giulio & Maria Tullia Galanti & Maddalena Sorrentino, 2016. "Italian state-owned enterprises after decades of reforms: Still public?," ECONOMIA PUBBLICA, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2016(3), pages 11-49.
    5. Thomas Bolognesi, 2013. "Modernisation of urban water services management in Europe and prospects for sustainability: an analysis in terms of institutional resource regimes," Working Papers halshs-01058059, HAL.
    6. Thomas Bolognesi, 2013. "Perspectives de soutenabilité de la " Modernisation " de la gestion des services hydriques urbains en Europe," Post-Print halshs-00914229, HAL.
    7. Natacha Aveline-Dubach & Guillaume Blandeau, 2019. "The political economy of transit value capture: The changing business model of the MTRC in Hong Kong [L'économie politique de la captation de valeur foncière (Land value capture): le nouveau modèle," Post-Print halshs-02100616, HAL.
    8. Thomas Bolognesi, 2014. "The paradox of the modernisation of urban water systems in Europe: Intrinsic institutional limits for sustainability," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 38(4), pages 270-281, November.
    9. Thomas Bolognesi, 2012. "Le système hydrique urbain : une grille d'analyse originale pour qualifier les défis de la gestion de l'eau dans les villes européennes," Post-Print halshs-00719372, HAL.
    10. Di Giulio, Marco & Galanti, Maria Tullia & Moro, Francesco Niccolò, 2016. "Political coalitions, local leaders and the internationalization of local public services in Italy," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 144-151.
    11. Natacha Aveline-Dubach & Guillaume Blandeau, 2019. "The political economy of transit value capture: The changing business model of the MTRC in Hong Kong," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(16), pages 3415-3431, December.
    12. COLIN McFARLANE & JONATHAN RUTHERFORD, 2008. "Political Infrastructures: Governing and Experiencing the Fabric of the City," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(2), pages 363-374, June.
    13. Daniel Florentin, 2019. "From multi-utility to cross-utilities: The challenges of cross-sectoral entrepreneurial strategies in a German city," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(11), pages 2242-2260, August.

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