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Centralization Versus Pluralism (Copenhagen studies in economics & management)
Centralization Versus Pluralism - Copenhagen studies in economics & management Author:Charles P. Kindleberger The world seems to be in the throes of two opposed political and economic struggles: one set of forces leading to the integration of sovereign states, and the other, inside many countries, leading to separation with separate sovereignty - or, less dramatically, leading to devolution with a shift of power from the centre to states, provinces, loc... more »alities, or even towns. This text focuses on the last issue, primarily through a historical analysis of the problem in several countries, some decentralized like the Dutch Republic and Germany, some centralized like France and Britain, and some with complex mixtures such as Canada, the USA, and Japan. It concludes that, in ordinary times, decentralization is more democratic and more open to economic and social experiment and innovation, but, in crisis, centralization is strongly desirable.« less