New Working Paper in the IDEAGOV Working Paper Series

IDEAGOV is pleased to announce the publication of a new Working Paper entitled “Asymmetric Decentralization and Inequality”, authored by Pablo Beramendi (Duke University) and Melissa Rogers (Claremont Graduate University).

This paper explores how the organization of power in decentralized systems affects economic inequality. It examines how spatial inequalities and asymmetric decentralization interact to shape redistributive policies and progressive taxation.

The study shows that not all forms of asymmetry have the same effects. While granting certain regions greater authority can sometimes support cooperation at the national level, arrangements such as legislative malapportionment tend to limit taxation capacity and reinforce wealth concentration.

The findings indicate that when high spatial inequality coincides with asymmetric decentralization, inequality tends to increase and efforts to tax the wealthy weaken. The paper concludes that effective redistribution requires a strong and institutionally empowered central government, particularly in territorially diverse states.

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