The book by Bolgherini, Casula and Marotta, which draws upon extensive empirical research and data collection, makes a valuable attempt at broadening our understanding of the variety of forms of IMC in Italy across time and space, providing the reader with a glimpse into the long-standing academic debate on the ‘optimal’ size of local government, and trying to unravel the well-known trade-off between the two imperatives of capacity (related to performance) and proximity (related to participation, responsiveness and accountability issues), which are inherent in any (re)definition of administrative borders. On this latter point, the authors propose a multi-dimensional approach to addressing the ‘rationalisation dilemma’ behind decisions concerning territorial rescaling, paying attention to both the functional, economic and geo-demographic facets of IMC.
Recensione a "Il dilemma del riordino. Unioni e fusioni dei comuni italiani", di Bolgherini S., Casula M. e Marotta M., (Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018)
Stefania Profeti
2019
Abstract
The book by Bolgherini, Casula and Marotta, which draws upon extensive empirical research and data collection, makes a valuable attempt at broadening our understanding of the variety of forms of IMC in Italy across time and space, providing the reader with a glimpse into the long-standing academic debate on the ‘optimal’ size of local government, and trying to unravel the well-known trade-off between the two imperatives of capacity (related to performance) and proximity (related to participation, responsiveness and accountability issues), which are inherent in any (re)definition of administrative borders. On this latter point, the authors propose a multi-dimensional approach to addressing the ‘rationalisation dilemma’ behind decisions concerning territorial rescaling, paying attention to both the functional, economic and geo-demographic facets of IMC.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.