The Centre on Constitutional Change is a leading hub for the comparative study of territorial politics and governance in the United Kingdom and beyond.
Fiscal decentralisation promises to bring government closer to citizens and reduce regional inequalities, but its success depends on the institutions receiving these powers. Drawing on departmental data from Colombia between 2005 and 2020, Jaime E. Ávila-Álvarez, Beatriz Cuadrado-Ballesteros, and Jennifer Martínez-Ferrero examine how armed conflict and corruption undermine these ambitions, allowing public resources to be captured by armed groups and local elites.
As devolved nations act as laboratories for democratic reform, Westminster should pay close attention to their experiments
France’s 2014 territorial reform redrew regional boundaries while preserving departments, despite longstanding calls for their abolition. Patrick Le Lidec argues that this choice reflected the unequal political protection enjoyed by different levels of government. Institutions with stronger protection could both resist restructuring and help redirect reform towards a more exposed tier.
Michael Keating responds to the recent meeting of the leaders of Sinn Féin, Plaid Cymru and the SNP
Subnationalism is on the rise. There is a fear that fragmentation will force a return to violent medievalism. However, by examining the strengths (and weaknesses) of California’s international diplomatic efforts, this talk will explore the possibilities of what has been called the ‘California effect’ - which can be seen as an optimistic ‘post-Westphalian’ scenario.
In the aftermath of the 2024 general election, a critical analysis of party positioning reveals much about the evolving political landscape in the UK. This session examines the policies prioritised and framed by the main parties and explores how their manifestos influenced the campaign and subsequent developments.
The 2014 referendum on Scotland’s independence was a critical juncture with enduring effects. Ten years on, we take stock of the legacies of that event on the politics, institutions, and constitutional futures of Scotland and the UK.
This talk will explore the legislative progress, cabinet appointments, and major policies that have characterised the early days of Keir Starmer’s Labour administration.
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