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Intergovernmental Relations in the Spanish Federal System: In Search of a Model

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The Ways of Federalism in Western Countries and the Horizons of Territorial Autonomy in Spain

Abstract

When taking stock of the Spanish version of federalism, the “Estado autonómico”, it seems of utmost importance to address not just the distribution of powers and resources or its diversity but also its complex machinery of government and its everyday workings, that is, its intergovernmental relations (hereafter IGR) and the way its strengths and weaknesses have been evolving and treated by both political science, public administration, and public law. The academic study of IGR may serve primarily to identify patterns of functioning and its evolution and thus to pinpoint possible problems and pathologies. Only then can institutional design solutions have a chance of success. This, in turn, can only be done by comparing the Spanish system with other similar ones, i.e., by understanding its historical evolution and workings in comparative perspective.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias Políticas, Dpto. de Ciencia Politica y de la Administración, UNED, C/ Obispo Trejo s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    César Colino

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  1. César Colino
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Correspondence to César Colino .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Fac. Social Sciences and Communication, University of the Basque Country, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa - Bizkaia, 48940, Spain

    Alberto López - Basaguren

  2. , Fac. Social Sciences and Communication, University of the Basque Country, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa - Bizkaia, 48940, Spain

    Leire Escajedo San Epifanio

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Colino, C. (2013). Intergovernmental Relations in the Spanish Federal System: In Search of a Model. In: López - Basaguren, A., Escajedo San Epifanio, L. (eds) The Ways of Federalism in Western Countries and the Horizons of Territorial Autonomy in Spain. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27717-7_7

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