The Rise of the English Regions?

This book provides a theoretically grounded book, analyzing "devolution" in general - and the English regions in particular - from the perspective of geographical insights rooted in concepts of uneven development, and drawing on the rich tradition of regional geography. The Regions of England are currently run on a colonial basis in which London is the power center ruling over the "other" English regions. The first part of the book looks at how this regional structure has arisen, and the theories that can be used to analyze it. The contributors discuss the nature of regional problems and governance, the institutions involved in regional governance and regional approaches to economic development. The second part of the book devotes a chapter to each English region, examining each region's unique characteristics, and the opportunities created for it by devolution. By looking carefully at the regions, this part of the book will shed light on the question of whether Regional governance benefits theregions, or simply rescales governance to introduce another layer of bureaucracy. This book will be important reading for anyone studying the English regions, or involved in regional governance.