Brexit, devolution and economic development in ‘left-behind’ regions

Tomaney, John and Pike, Andy 2018. Brexit, devolution and economic development in ‘left-behind’ regions. Welsh Economic Review 26 , pp. 29-37. 10.18573/wer.231

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Abstract

The Brexit vote in the UK, according to Andrés Rodríguez-Pose (2018), is an instance of the revenge of the ‘places that don’t matter’. This expression of discontent from places at the sharp end of rising social and spatial inequalities has fostered the rapid rise of populism that is challenging the hegemony of neoliberal capitalism and liberal democracy. This paper considers the problems of these so-called ‘left-behind’ places – typically former industrial regions. Such places figured prominently not just among those that voted leave in the Brexit referendum in the UK, but also among those who voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 in the US, and for Marine Le Pen in 2017 in France in their respective presidential elections. In this context, this paper’s aims are fourfold. First, we outline the political economy of ‘left-behind’ regions. Second, we offer a critical account of recent efforts to ‘regenerate’ deindustrialised regions. Third, we describe new policy prescriptions for ‘left-behind’ regions attracting the attention of policymakers. Finally, the politics of local and regional economic development are considered, including the kinds of institutions are required to affect a new economic future in such disadvantaged places.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CB History of civilization H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HG Finance H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JC Political theory J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > JN101 Great Britain
Additional Information:	Presented as a paper at the Symposium on Institutions Needed for Economic Development, Celtic Manor, Newport, 9-11 April 2018
Publisher:	Cardiff University Press
ISSN:	2397-8716
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	5 February 2019
Date of Acceptance:	3 December 2018
Last Modified:	05 May 2023 07:39
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/119205

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