New Working Paper in the IDEAGOV Working Paper Series

IDEAGOV is pleased to announce the publication of a new Working Paper entitled “Asymmetric Decentralization: Nature and Determinants”, authored by Santiago Lago-Peñas (USC, IDEAGOV, CISPAC), María Cadaval-Sampedro (USC, IDEAGOV), Jorge Martínez-Vázquez (Georgia State University, IDEAGOV) and Ana Herrero-Alcalde (UNED, IDEAGOV).

This paper provides a systematic empirical analysis of the nature and determinants of asymmetric decentralization using information from the Regional Authority Index (RAI). The findings demonstrate that while geographic distance from the capital and unique linguistic identities imply higher levels of regional authority, ethnic fragmentation, population size, and territorial characteristics are important drivers of asymmetry at the national level.

The analysis also highlights the role of political transitions to democracy as a catalyst that activates latent structural conditions and fosters increases in interregional asymmetry.

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