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Table of contents (7 chapters)
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Reviews
“The monograph is a useful and welcome work in several respects. It offers a fresh take on decentralisation studies, shifting away from ethnically-centred discussions on decentralisation … . the study is a refreshing and important one. The shift of focus towards the agency of the political elites, and in particular towards a resources-driven framework, is much needed; for anyone familiar with the region … .” (Tena Prelec, Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 69 (6), 2017)
“There are several reasons to recommend Alexander Kleibrink’s Political Elites and Decentralization Reforms in the Post-Socialist Balkans to anyone interested in the politics of decentralization in Europe. … The analytical core of the book is a comparison of decentralization reforms in Croatia and Serbia, or more specifically of the devolution of powers to two historical regions within each country – Istria in Croatia and Vojvodina in Serbia.” (Vera Šćepanović, Regional Studies, July, 2016)
'This exemplary study shows why decentralization reforms have different outcomes: Elites condition their support on whether such reforms offer greater access to electoral and patronage resources, and fewer constraints on distributing them. The book draws on groundbreaking field research revealing just how parties use decentralization to control jobs and fill their coffers. It is a hugely important contribution to the study of comparative politics, post-communist democratization and Southeastern Europe.' Milada A. Vachudova, Professor of Political Science, University of North Carolina, USA'This book sheds an important light on the dynamics of decentralisation in Eastern Europe and more generally brings in novel theoretical insights on the role of informal elite interactions in moulding the pace and scope of decentralization reforms.' Wilfried Swenden, Senior Lecturer of Politics, University of Edinburgh, UK
'Decentralization reforms are popular in post-conflict societies. But what explains the willingness of national elites to invest in such reforms? Alexander Kleibrink develops a novel theoretical argument to this important question. His in-depth local knowledge allows him to assemble an impressive array of empirical evidence. This book is a must read for scholars interested in decentralization and regionalism, Balkan politics specialists, and also a note of caution for those uncritically advocating transfer of powers to subnational units.' Petr Kopecký, Professor of Political Science, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University, The Netherlands
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Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Political Elites and Decentralization Reforms in the Post-Socialist Balkans
Book Subtitle: Regional Patronage Networks in Serbia and Croatia
Authors: Alexander Kleibrink
Series Title: New Perspectives on South-East Europe
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137495723
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political Science Collection, Political Science and International Studies (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2015
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-49571-6Published: 03 August 2015
eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-49572-3Published: 11 August 2015
Series ISSN: 2662-5857
Series E-ISSN: 2662-5865
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XVI, 231
Topics: European Politics, Political Sociology, Democracy, Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning, Political Science, Comparative Politics