Seeks to clarify the relevance, problems and consequences of operating federal systems of government in Western Europe. This book discusses the institutional features of federalism and regionalism, and also analyzes and explains varieties in the allocation of resources and in the political decision-making process of West-European federal states.

"Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe" seeks to clarify the relevance, problems and consequences of operating federal systems of government in Western Europe. It discusses the institutional features of federalism and regionalism and brings in recent insights from the viewpoint of neo-institutional scholarship. Rather than providing a case-by-case approach, the book offers a thematic analysis of federalism and regionalism. In addition, the book also analyzes and explains varieties in the allocation of resources, in the political decision-making process and in the policy content and problem-solving capacity of West-European federal and regional states.

Introduction - Comparative Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe: A Conceptual Overview - The Origins of Federalism and Regionalism in Western Europe - The Centre and the Regions: The Constitutional Approach - The Centre and the Regions: The Political Economy Approach - The Centre, the Regions and the Party System - Intergovernmental Relations and Public Policy - The Centre, the Regions and Plurinationalism