Greece: Restructuring under Pressure or the Response to an External Shock

Abstract

This chapter deals with two important features affecting, directly or indirectly, the system of local institutional interactions (local institutional networks) and its learning capacity (adaptability): first, the structural – structure of the state and intergovernmental relations – and cultural – civic culture and social capital – specificities of the Greek socio-political system; and second, the main aspects of national regional policy, as it has gradually evolved after the Second World War and the civil war, as well as the impact of the Europeanization process, especially after the introduction of the IMPs (1985). The chapter is divided into three sections. Section one presents the main features of the state structure and the system of intergovernmental relations and assesses their impact on the learning capacity and Europeanization of local systems of governance. Section two focuses on the gradual transformation of national regional policy as a consequence of the pressures from EU membership. Finally, section three discusses the impact of cultural characteristics on facilitating or inhibiting structural and political adaptation.