The National State as Mediator of Regional Development Outcomes in a Global Era

Abstract

In recent years, commentators have downplayed the role of the national state in shaping regional economic development. In particular it has been argued that globalization processes are undermining the national level as a container of economic regulation and action. This has been accompanied by a celebration of the regional level as a site for constructing competitive advantage, amid growing evidence of increased sub-national economic agglomeration. This article contests this view, arguing that in the current era the state remains a key actor in both mediating the effects of global economic integration and shaping the trajectories of regional economies. The argument is illustrated through a comparative analysis of oil-based regional economic developments in the UK and Norway. The case studies highlight the contrasting role played by the national state in the two countries and the varied spatial outcomes and prospects that arise as a result.