Approaches to the problem of local autonomy: The lessons of Italian regional devolution

Abstract

Recent developments with regard to local autonomy in Italy are described and analysed. It is shown that the regions have assumed the same centralising role vis‐à‐vis the local governments that was formerly played exclusively by the central government. However, the relationship between central, regional and local governments is not simply a triangular relationship but a multilateral game of shifting alliances in which each territorial level is internally divided. Consequently, the utility of the centre‐periphery approach in describing national‐regional‐local relations in a unitary system is called into question; and the use of certain other models and approaches is suggested.