How do small nations cooperate? An action research framework for Wales and the Basque Country

Calzada, Igor ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4269-830X 2024. How do small nations cooperate? An action research framework for Wales and the Basque Country. Regional Studies, Regional Science 11 (1) , pp. 87-102. 10.1080/21681376.2024.2311099

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Abstract

Against the backdrop of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Welsh and Basque Governments in 2018, this article introduces a multiscalar and transdisciplinary social sciences action research framework that emerged from a workshop held in May 2023. The workshop engaged stakeholders from both sides and is part of the broader ongoing project. This project seeks to address the main research question, ‘How do small nations cooperate?’ through the exploration of transregional cooperation and mutual learning between Wales and the Basque Country. The structure of the article is as follows: First, it commences with an introduction defining ‘small nations’, presenting the main research question, articulating two related aims, outlining three primary methodological goals, and providing a broad context for these two small nations within the framework of their MoU. Second, following a brief description of each small nation, the article concurrently develops the action research methodological framework while analyzing findings stemming from workshop discussions between stakeholders of Wales and the Basque Country. They addressed three intertwined territorial scale challenges: Macro, examined through devolution and fiscal federalism perspectives; Meso, explored through social innovations in urban spaces in Cardiff (SPARK) and Bilbao (ASFabrik); and Micro, investigated through grassroots innovations. Finally, the article concludes with an action research and policy agenda. It suggests one operational research question per territorial scale as the conclusion of this article, offering a response to the main research question. The conclusion acknowledges limitations and outlines future research and policy pathways for this ongoing project.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Geography and Planning (GEOPL) Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Universities' Police Science Institute (UPSI) Wales Governance Centre (WGCES) Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD)
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain F History United States, Canada, Latin America > F001 United States local history G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HS Societies secret benevolent etc J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JF Political institutions (General) J Political Science > JS Local government Municipal government T Technology > T Technology (General)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	2168-1376
Funders:	ESRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	29 January 2024
Date of Acceptance:	12 January 2024
Last Modified:	16 Apr 2024 08:24
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/165897

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