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How do citizens perceive centralization reforms? Evidence from the merger of French regions

Author

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  • L. WILNER

    (Insee - Crest)

Abstract
Using the 2016 merger of French regions as a natural experiment, this paper adopts a difference-in-difference identification strategy to recover its causal impact on individual subjective wellbeing. No depressing effect is found despite increased centralization; life satisfaction has even increased in regions that were absorbed from economic and political viewpoints. The empirical evidence also suggests that local economic performance improved in the concerned regions, which includes a faster decline in the unemployment rate. In this setting, economic gains have likely outweighed cultural attachment to administrative regions.

Suggested Citation

  • L. Wilner, 2020. "How do citizens perceive centralization reforms? Evidence from the merger of French regions," Documents de Travail de l'Insee - INSEE Working Papers g2020-07, Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques.
    • Handle: RePEc:nse:doctra:g2020-07
    as

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    File URL: https://www.bnsp.insee.fr/ark:/12148/bc6p06zrjz5/f1.pdf
    File Function: Document de travail de la DESE numéro G2020/07
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Clémence Tricaud, 2019. "Better alone? Evidence on the costs of intermunicipal cooperation," Economics Working Paper from Condorcet Center for political Economy at CREM-CNRS 2019-12-ccr, Condorcet Center for political Economy.
    2. repec:hal:journl:hal-03380333 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Merger of regions; natural experiment; difference-in-difference; subjective wellbeing; centralization.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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