Intermunicipal cooperation and ethno-social disparity in peripheral regions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intermunicipal cooperation (IMC) in regions of social–economic and cultural heterogeneity may facilitate economies of scale and improve competitiveness and service delivery, but the insights of border and regional studies reveal its limitations in addressing disparities and generating development. This paper analyzes IMC prospects within peripheral regions of Israel, where municipal borders mark divides of prosperity, ethnicity and religion. Israeli policy promotes regionalism through IMC to facilitate intra-regional interdependence and development. Yet, institutionalized structures of cooperation have minimal impact on intra-regional disparities. Pervasive social borders undermine the prospects of IMC, as an insufficient substitute for necessary government investment in addressing historic roots of socioeconomic inequality.