The Nature of Spatial Inequalities in South East Europe and the Scope for Decentralized Regional Policy: An Analysis of Bulgaria and Serbia

Abstract

Throughout the former communist European space, the process of transition and, later, EU association has brought out important questions about the extent and evolution of regional disparities in these countries. The processes of industrial restructuring, economic openness and privatization, while generally supporting economic development nationally, have naturally favoured some regions at the expense of others — at least in relative terms. At the same time, as is discussed elsewhere in this volume, two key spatial-administrative processes, of decentralization and regionalization, developed in these countries under perceived or direct pressures for democratization and Europeanization. In turn, these developments too have a potentially important bearing on local capacities to stimulate economic development and, by implication, on regional disparities in incomes and rates of growth.