New Working Paper in the IDEAGOV Working Paper Series

IDEAGOV is pleased to announce the publication of a new Working Paper entitled Perceptions of legitimacy in asymmetric decentralisation: evidence from Spain, authored by Caroline Gray (Aston University).

The paper analyses the conditions under which asymmetric decentralisation arrangements sustain or undermine the legitimacy of the territorial model among regions that operate under the standard framework. While existing research has largely focused on whether asymmetry accommodates minority-nationalist regions and reduces secessionist pressures, this study shifts the focus to how such arrangements are perceived by other regions.

Using elite interviews with senior finance officials in four Spanish autonomous communities—Andalusia, Extremadura, Murcia and the Valencian Community—combined with public opinion data, the paper shows that asymmetric arrangements lose acceptance when they are perceived as lacking transparency, weakening systemic coherence, or generating persistent distributive grievances. Under these conditions, asymmetry may fuel renewed territorial tensions rather than promote stability.

The findings underline the importance of transparent bargaining processes, robust intergovernmental forums and perceived fiscal fairness in sustaining the legitimacy of asymmetric decentralisation in multi-level governance systems.

📄 The Working Paper is available at:https://www.ideagov.eu/wp