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The Organic or the Arithmetic: Independent Commissions and the Redrawing of the UK's Administrative Maps

Author

Listed:
  • R. J. Johnston
  • C. J. Pattie
  • D. J. Rossiter

Abstract

JOHNSTON R. J., PATTIE C. J. and ROSSITER D. J. (1997) The organic or the arithmetic: independent commissions and the redrawing of the UK's administrative maps, Reg. Studies 31, 337-349. Several elements of the administrative map of the UK were changed in the mid-1990s with the creation of new parliamentary constituencies and new unitary local authorities. The tasks of drawing-up the new maps involved resolving the tensions between two conflicting principles - those of efficiency (an 'arithmetic principle') and community representation ('an organic principle'). In the case of parliamentary constituencies, the task is entrusted to independent Commissions, as was the case also with local government reorganization in England. This paper discusses how those conflicts were resolved by the Commissions and the relationships between the outcomes and the Government's expectations. JOHNSTON R. J., PATTIE C. J. et ROSSITER D. J. (1997) L'organique ou l'arithmetique: les Commissions independantes et le redecoupage administratif au Royaume-Uni, Reg. Studies 31, 337-349. Plusieurs composantes de la carte administrative du Royaume-Uni ont ete changees au milieu des annees 90 avec la creation de nouvelles circonscriptions electorales et de nouvelles administrations locales unitaires. L'esquisse des nouvelles cartes a necessite la resolution des tensions entre deux principes discordants - a savoir l'efficience (un 'principe arithmetique') et la representation communautaire (un 'principe organique'). Quant aux circonscriptions electorales, la tache est le ressort des Commissions independantes, ce qui s'est passe aussi au moment de la reorganisation de l'administration locale en Angleterre. Cet article discute de la facon dont ces conflits ont ete resolus par les Commissions, et le rapport entre les consequences et les attentes du gouvernement. JOHNSTON R. J., PATTIE C. J. und ROSSITER D. J. (1997) Organisch Gewachsenes oder Arithmethik: Unabha¨ngige Kommissionen und die Neuabgrenzung der Verwaltungsbezirke des Vereinigten Ko¨nigreichs, Reg. Studies 31, 337- 349. Im Gefolge der Schaffung neuer Wahlbezirke und neuer, einheitlicher Ortsverwaltungen wurden in den mittneunziger Jahren verschiedene Elemente der politischen Karte des Vereinigten Ko¨nigreichs vera¨ndert. Die Aufgabe der Zeichner der neuen Karten verlangte die Lo¨sung der Spannungen zwischen zwei sich widersprechenden Prinzipien - dem der Leistungsfa¨higkeit (ein arithmethisches Prinzip) und dem der Darstellung der Gemeinden (ein organisches Prinzip). Im Falle der Wahlkreise wurde die Aufgabe einer unabha¨ngigen Kommission anvertraut, wie es schon bei der Umorganisation der Ortsverwaltungen in England gehandhabt worden war. Dieser Aufsatz beschreibt, wie diese Widerspru¨che von den Kommissionen gelo¨st wurden, sowie das Verha¨ltnis zwischen den Erwartungen der Regierung und ihrer Erfu¨llung.

Suggested Citation

  • R. J. Johnston & C. J. Pattie & D. J. Rossiter, 1997. "The Organic or the Arithmetic: Independent Commissions and the Redrawing of the UK's Administrative Maps," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(3), pages 337-349.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:31:y:1997:i:3:p:337-349
    DOI: 10.1080/00343409750134737
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