The road to ambiguity: the axiological construction of the regional tier in France

ABSTRACT

The merger and enlargement of French regions implemented from 2015 is part of a regionalization process which began in the 1950s. A constructivist approach of the emergence and strengthening of this new regional tier demonstrates the continued existence of an axiological ambiguity combining neoliberal and solidarity-based norms upon which are founded French regional planning policies. The continuation of this ideological assemblage has made the regions flexible instruments, capable of responding to heterogeneous ends and building consensus among political elites.

KEYWORDS:

• France
• ideas
• constructivism
• rescaling/upscaling
• regionalism

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Notes

1 Law n° 2014–58 ‘for the modernization of territorial public action and the affirmation of cities’ (27 January 2014).

Law n° 2015–29 ‘on the delimitation of regions, regional and departmental elections and amending the electoral agenda’ (16 January 2015).

Law n° 2015–991 ‘on the new territorial organization of the Republic' (7 August 2015).