Regionalism (politics)

Regionalism (politics)

In politics, regionalism is a political ideology that focuses on the interests of a particular region or group of regions, whether traditional or formal (political divisions, administrative divisions, country subdivisions or subnational units).

Regionalists aim at increasing their region's influence and political power, either through movements for limited form of autonomy (devolution, states' rights, decentralization) or through stronger measures for a greater degree of autonomy (sovereignty, separatism, independence). Regionalists often favor loose federations or confederations over a unitary state with a strong central government.

Proponents of regionalism say that strengthening a region's governing bodies and political powers within a larger country would promote fiscal responsibility, develop a more rational allocation of the region's resources for the benefit of the local populations, increase the efficient implementation of local plans, raise competitiveness and efficiency levels among the regions and ultimately the whole country, and save taxpayers money. For its opponents, regionalism is associated with denying or preventing universalism.