Contextualising regional policy for territorial cohesion in Central and Eastern Europe
Abstract
This conceptual paper discusses key instruments for territorial cohesion in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) from a comparative historical analytical perspective amidst the neoliberalisation of EU Regional Policy, which has implications for the production and reinforcement of spatial inequalities in regional development. The neoliberalisation processes unfolding in the diff erent political-institutional contexts of CEE have implications for the movement, transformation and effectiveness of policies such as Regional Policy, complicating the holistic understanding of policy effects. Increasingly neoliberal regional policies across Europe, and in the different path dependent political-institutional contexts of CEE in particular, raise questions about the effectiveness of Regional Policy to achieve territorial cohesion. Comparative historical analysis provides a method of inquiry into path dependent processes shaping institutions and affecting policy outcomes, and is therefore a useful approach for conceptualising regional political-institutional contexts and their implications for Regional Policy. Operational Programmes encompassed in national strategic documents from the Czech Republic, Estonia and Hungary over three programming periods are examined as the key instruments for the implementation of Regional Policy, the comparison of which reveals a diff erence in perspectives towards the common EU goals of competitiveness and growth as a means of achieving territorial cohesion. The research thus points to the need for deeper comparative understanding of the political-institutional contexts in the three countries in order to identify factors of effective policies and to tailor effective policy solutions to specific regional contexts, a task to be advanced in future studies of Regional Policy and political institutional contexts of CEE.
References
Annoni, P. and Dijkstra, L. 2013. EU Regional Competitiveness Index: RCI 2013. Luxembourg, European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Publications Office of the European Union, 160 p.
Applica-Ismeri Europa-wiiw 2010. Ex Post Evaluation of Cohesion Policy Programmes 2000-2006 financed by the European Regional Development Fund in Objective 1 and 2 Regions: Working package 1: Coordination, analysis and synthesis. Task 4: Development and achievements in Member States: Estonia. Applica-Ismeri Europawiiw Consortium. 20 p.
Barca, F. 2009. An Agenda for a Reformed Cohesion Policy: A Place-Based Approach to Meeting European Union Challenges and Expectations. Independent report prepared at the request of the European Commissioner for Regional Policy. Brussels, Danuta Hübner European Commission, 244 p.
Barca, F., McCann, P. and Rodríguez-Pose, A. 2012. The case for regional development intervention: Place-based versus place-neutral approaches. Journal of Regional Science 52. (1): 134-152. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9787.2011.00756.x
Brenner, N., Peck, J. and Theodore, N. 2010a. Variegated neoliberalization: Geographies, modalities, pathways Global Networks 10. (2): 182-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0374.2009.00277.x
Brenner, N., Peck, J. and Theodore, N. 2010b. After Neo-liberalization? Globalizations 7. (3): 327-345. https://doi.org/10.1080/14747731003669669
CEC 1997. Agenda 2000 - For a Stronger and Wider Europe. Supplement 5/97 to the Bulletin of the European Union. Luxembourg, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 138 p.
CEC 1999. ESDP - European Spatial Development Perspective: Towards Balanced Sustainable Development of the Territory of the European Union. Luxembourg, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 87 p.
CEC 2004. Facing the challenge: The Lisbon strategy for growth and employment. Report from the High Level Group. Luxembourg, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 51 p.
CEC 2005. Communication to the Spring European Council - Working together for growth and jobs - A new start for the Lisbon Strategy. Communication from President Barroso in agreement with Vice-
President Verheugen {SEC (2005) 192}, {SEC (2005) 193}. Brussels, European Commission, 31 p.
CEC 2010a. EUROPE 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth {COM (2010) 2020 final}. Brussels, European Commission, 35 p.
CEC 2010b. Commission Staff Working Document: Lisbon Strategy Evaluation Document. {SEC (2010) 114 final}. Brussels, European Commission, 21 p.
CEC 2013. Expert evaluation network on the performance of Cohesion policy 2007-2013. Synthesis of National Reports 2013. Brussels, European Union, 110 p.
CEC 2014a. Investment for jobs and growth: Promoting development and good governance in EU regions and cities. Sixth report on economic, social and territorial cohesion. Luxembourg, Publications Office of the European Union, 334 p.
CEC 2014b. 2014/99/EU: Commission Implementing Decision of 18 February 2014 sett ing out the list of regions eligible for funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund and of Member States eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund for the period 2014-2020. Notified under document C (2014) 974. Official Journal of the European Union L 50. (22): 13 p.
Copus, A. and Noguera, J. 2010. A Typology of Intermediate and Predominantly Rural NUTS 3 Regions. EDORA Scientific Working Paper No. 24.
EDORA Final Report, Annex 1 (Part C: Scientific Working Papers). ESPON 2013 Programme, Luxembourg, Publications Offi ce of the European Union, 732-778.
ESPON 2013. Gross Domestic Product per capita in PPS, 1999-2008 (GDPPPS_CAP). ESPON M4D, ESPON Database. ESPON 2013 Programme, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 54 p.
ESPON 2014. Territories finding a New Momentum: Evidence for Policy Development, Growth and Investment. Third ESPON Synthesis Report: ESPON results by July 2014. ESPON 2013 Programme, Luxembourg, Publications Office of the European Union, 66 p.
EUROSTAT 2014. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per inhabitant, in purchasing power standard (PPS), by NUTS 2 regions, 2007-2011. [Online data codes: nama_r_e2gdp].
Faludi, A. and Peyrony, J. 2011. Cohesion Policy Contributing to Territorial Cohesion - Future Scenarios. Refereed article No. 43, European Journal of Spatial Development, 21 p.
Farole, T., Rodríguez-Pose, A. and Storper, M. 2011. Cohesion Policy in the European Union: Growth, Geography, Institutions. Journal of Common Market Studies 49. (5): 1089-1111. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781849805780.00015
Gibson, C. 2015. Negotiating Regional Creative Economies: Academics as Expert Intermediaries Advocating Progressive Alternatives. Regional Studies 49. (3): 476-479. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2014.945249
Gibson, C. and Klocker, N. 2004. Academic publishing as 'creative' industry, and recent discourses of 'creative economies': some critical reflections. Area 36. 423-434. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0004-0894.2004.00242.x
Goldstone, J.A. 2003. Comparative Historical Analysis and Knowledge Accummulation in the Study of Revolutions. In Comparative Historical Analysis in the Social Sciences. Eds.: Mahoney, J. and Rueschemeyer, D. New York, Cambridge University Press, 41-90. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511803963.003
González, L. and Rubén, C. 2013. The "Europe 2020 Strategy" as a vision to emerge from the crisis: an overall interpretation. In European Regions in the Strategy to Emerge from the Crisis: the Territorial Dimension of the "Europe 2020". Eds.: Rubén, C., González, L. and Carril, V.P. Cursos e Congresos no 222. Santiago de Compostela, Servizo de Publicacións da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 17-27.
Hadjimichalis, C. 2011. Uneven geographical development and socio-spatial justice and solidarity: European regions aft er the 2009 financial crisis. European Urban and Regional Studies 18. (3): 254-274. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776411404873
Hadjimichalis, C. and Hudson, R. 2014. Contemporary Crisis Across Europe and the Crisis of Regional Development Theories. Regional Studies 48. (1): 208-218. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2013.834044
Hardeman, S. and D? kstra, L. 2014. The EU Regional Human Development Index. Luxembourg, Publications Office of the European Union, 102 p.
Jessop, B. 2002. Liberalism, Neo-Liberalism and Urban Governance: A State Theoretical Perspective. Antipode 34. (3): 452-472. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8330.00250
Lang, T. 2011. Regional development issues in Central and Eastern Europe: shifting research agendas from a focus on peripheries to peripheralisation? In Geography in Visegrad and Neighbour Countries.
Eds.: Erőss, Á. and Karácsonyi, D. Budapest, Geographical Research Institute HAS, 57-64.
Lundvall, B.A. and Lorenz, E. 2012. From the Lisbon Strategy to Europe 2020. In Towards a Social Investment Welfare State? Ideas, Policies and Challenges. Eds.: Morel, N., Palier, B. and Palme, J. Bristol, Policy Press, 333-352. https://doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781847429247.003.0013
Mahoney, J. and Rueschemeyer, D. 2003. Comparative Historical Analysis: Achievements and Agendas. In Comparative Historical Analysis in the Social Sciences. Eds.: Mahoney, J. and Rueschemeyer, D. New York, Cambridge University Press, 3-38. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511803963.002
MMR 2003. Community Support Framework: Czech Republic 2004-2006. CCI: 2003CZ161CC001. Prague, Ministry of Regional Development, The Czech Republic, 162 p.
MMR 2007. National Strategic Reference Framework of the Czech Republic 2007-2013. Prague, Ministry of Regional Development, The Czech Republic, 150 p.
MMR 2014. Partnership Agreement for the Programming Period 2014-2020: Czech Republic. Prague, Ministry of Regional Development, The Czech Republic, 237 p.
Monastiriotis, V. 2014. Regional Growth and National Development: Transition in Central and Eastern Europe and the Regional Kuznets Curve in the East and the West. Spatial Economic Analysis 9. (2): 142-161. https://doi.org/10.1080/17421772.2014.891156
Peck, J., Theodore, N. and Brenner, N. 2012. Neo-liberalism resurgent? Market rule after the Great Recession. South Atlantic Quarterly 111. (2): 265-288. https://doi.org/10.1215/00382876-1548212
Raagmaa, G. and Stead, D. 2013. Spatial Planning in the Baltic States: Impacts of European Policies. European Planning Studies 22. (4): 671-679. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2013.772730
Republic of Estonia 2007. Estonian National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013. Tallinn. Republic of Estonia, 145 p.
Republic of Estonia 2014. Partnership Agreement for the use of European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020. 2014EE16M8PA001. Tallinn, Republic of Estonia, 210 p.
Republic of Hungary 2003. Community Support Framework 2004-2006: Republic of Hungary: Objective 1 of the Structural Funds. CCI: 2003HU161CC001. Budapest, Republic of Hungary, 188 p.
Republic of Hungary 2007. The New Hungary Development Plan: National Strategic Reference Framework of Hungary 2007-2013: Employment and Growth. Budapest, Republic of Hungary, 200 p.
Republic of Hungary 2013. Hungarian Partnership Agreement, for the 2014-2020 programming period: Final draft. Budapest, Republic of Hungary, 188 p.
Richardson, T. and Jensen, O.B. 2000. Discourses of Mobility and Polycentric Development: A Contested View or European Spatial Planning. European Planning Studies 8. (4): 503-520. https://doi.org/10.1080/713666421
Sapir, A., Aghion, P., Bertola, G., Hellwig, M., Pisani-Ferry, J., Rosati, D., Vinals, J. and Fallace, H. 2003. An Agenda for a Growing Europe: Making the EU Economic System Deliver. Brussels, Independent High Level Study Group. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199271488.001.0001
Smith, A. and Timár, J. 2010. Uneven transformations: Space, economy and society 20 years aft er the collapse of state socialism. European Urban and Regional Studies 17. (2): 115-125. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776409358245
Stark, D. and Bruszt, L. 2001. One way or multiple paths? For a comparative sociology of East European capitalism. American Journal of Sociology 106. (4): 1129-1137. https://doi.org/10.1086/320301
WCED 1987. Our Common Future. Report on the World Commission of Environment and Development. New York, United Nations, 383 p.
Copyright (c) 2015 Bradley Loewen
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
