Culture, Institutions and Economic Development

A Study of Eight European Regions

Michael Keating, Professor, University of Aberdeen, John Loughlin, Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, Emeritus Fellow of St Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge and Emeritus Professor of Politics, Cardiff University, UK and Kris Deschouwer, Professor of Political Science, Free University of Brussels, Belgium

This book offers a systematic comparison of eight distinct regions and stateless nations, each with its own historical identity, but which is constantly being rebuilt in changing economic and political conditions. Avoiding economic or cultural determinism, the authors show how region-builders can shape their own responses to global challenges to produce models of development reflecting differing understandings and social compromises.

‘The in-depth case studies of eight important European regions make this book interesting reading. The chapters are presented in a coherent manner, keeping the same order of subjects for each chapter. This nicely facilitates a comparison across different regions. . . I recommend the book to scholars interested in learning more about these eight important European regions. It will be interesting, above all, for readers concerned with regional policies and those interested in the role of culture, language, identity and institutions in the understanding of regional development.’
– Martí Parellada, Papers in Regional Science

‘This is a valuable book that focuses on an issue of real importance in the “new” Europe and also does much to redress the tendency of economists and economic geographers to regard culture and economy as two largely separate domains. Myriad tensions and contradictions may exist between these two spheres of human activity, but, as the case studies here demonstrate convincingly, the former is vital to the legitimation of the political and economic institutions of regionalism.’
– Brian Graham, Journal of Regional Science

‘This is a very interesting book which can provide better understanding of the impact of regional culture and identity on regional development under changing political and economic conditions.’
– Dieter Eißel, Journal of Contemporary European Studies