New regions in England and Germany: An examination of the interaction of constitutional structures, formal regions and informal institutions

This paper examines the stark contrasts in regional governance arising from the different constitutional and political contexts in England and Germany , but argues that there are also differences within formal regions in the t wo countries. Recent developments in Germany show the uneven emergence and acceptance of informal policy-making institutions concerned with economic d evelopment and planning within the Lander and within formal planning region s. In England, the paper examines a process of continuing local and regiona l adjustment to centrally imposed institutional reforms. The paper argues t hat, whilst constitutional differences are clearly important factors, to un derstand directions of change in regional governance and, by extension, bro ader prospects for a 'Europe of regions', we need to examine the dynamics o f formal regional government and informal institutions.