Central Policies and Local Autonomy: the Case of Wales
评估1979年以来中央政策对威尔士地方当局自治的影响，发现中央集权论点仅得到有限支持，并探讨了中央约束的测量问题。
This paper assesses the impact of central policies on the autonomy of local authorities in Wales since 1979. Several problems in the measurement of central constraints are identified, including the distinction between aggregate and individual autonomy, the specification of central objectives and the need to take account of factors that reinforce or counteract central policies. The behaviour of Welsh local authorities is compared with six central goals: lower spending, less direct service provision, a greater emphasis on market mechanisms, compliance with central targets, less policy diversity and a weaker link between party politics and policy decisions. The empirical evidence provides only limited support for the centralisation thesis. General conclusions are drawn on the conceptualisation and measurement of central constraints on local autonomy.