Fragmentation, concentration, and local government structure: Top-tier authorities in England and Wales, 1831 - 1996

G. Boyne*, M. Cole

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The structure of local government in England and Wales is evaluated on the basis of public-choice theories concerning structural effects on performance. The concepts of fragmentation and concentration are applied to changes in the pattern of top-tier units since 1831. For most of this period the structure of this set of authorities became much less fragmented and more concentrated. Public-choice theory suggests that the net effect of these changes is likely to have been a reduction in the allocative and technical efficiency of service provision.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)501-514
Number of pages14
JournalEnvironment and Planning C: Government and Policy
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 1996

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