the Univers ity of Greenwi ch Teaching excellence for 100 yea Transformational localism in the Thames Gateway James Kennell Graham Symon Economic Development Resource Centre
Jun 28, 2015
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
Transformational localism in the Thames Gateway
James Kennell
Graham Symon
Economic Development Resource Centre
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
Context
Economic / Fiscal CrisisDeveloping policy discoursesRegionalism to LocalismNew governance arrangements for
economic development
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
The ‘New Localism’
We’ve been here before? Rhetoric of:
• decentralisation / devolution
• ‘empowerment’ Reality:
• de facto centralisation of administrative control
• marginalisation of local government?
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
The New Localism
What’s new?
• Necessity; the mother of invention?
• Innovation• less reliance on public sector• manufacturing / export?
• Real solutions to crisis/decline can only be found locally
• Local communities:• policy, business, civil society, citizens• partnerships
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
Thames Gateway
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
Options / Models for the Thames Gateway
Archetypes:
• ‘Bureaucratic’
• ‘Rentier’
• ‘Insurgency’
• ‘Transformationalism’
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
‘Bureaucratic’ – state-driven
Classic social democratic scenarioState expansion post-1945
• Keynesian, Berevidge
Paternalist?Corporatist?Top-down ‘Steering’ and ‘rowing’
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
‘Rentier’ – corporate driven
Rhetoric of ‘what business needs/wants’ Attracting / incentivising investment Public funds
• grants (within what European law permits!)• tax breaks
Social externalities? How much licence should industry be
allowed? Diversity?
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
‘Insurgency’ – community driven
Economic decline / transition resulting in social problems Manifested in resistance, disaffection Citizen action hallmark of healthy democracy ‘Bottom-up’ Coalitions of civil society, faith, ethnic, labour organisations,
campaigning, seeking change• North America (‘Rust Belt’)• South America (various)• UK (TELCO, community unionism)
Energy can be harnessed under the right circumstances
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
‘Transformational’ – the integrated approach
Allowing the conditions to prevail that enable complementary contributions from stakeholders• State: robust but not overbearing; as local as possible• Industry: investment / entrepreneurialism / sustainable economic
activity crucial; social externalities should be optimised• Communities: cynicism / alienation must be overcome; rhetoric must
meet reality• Policy makers should not fear collective action
Ultimately, what works locally is down to contingent factors:• Arms-length central state• Responsible business• Engaged communities
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
Some practical interventions for the Thames Gateway Localising finance
• a Thames Gateway Investment Bond• Local currency?
Localising ownership• assets / resources / capacity freed from central state control .... but beware
the ‘Rentier’
Localising opportunity• Reinstating historic role of municipality in economic governance matters
• Production and consumption brought into proximity
• Partnerships: skills / labour markets
Localising accountability• Not only local action, but local control• Local Development Index (LDI)• Informatting
the
Universityof
Greenwich
Teaching excellence for 100 years
Concluding thoughts
Thames Gateway faces challenges (in common with
many geographies)
Localism may provide key opportunities
Must develop institutions that foster innovation and
trust between stakeholders
Radical action may be necessary