7. Taking Time and Space Seriously in the Study of Amalgamation Reforms: Causal Inferences Based on Cross-Country Analyses

The final empirical chapter of this book presents a comparative study of European countries to assess the general propositions discussed in Chap. 6. The analysis, based on data from 10 countries with abundant time series data, reveals intriguing patterns linking territorial reforms to the rise of the Welfare State, urbanization, and economic development. The study employs data from all European countries, grouped by data availability, to test additional propositions. It highlights significant variations in the timing, periods, tempo, and duration of changes, with some countries displaying clear trends and others deviating from expected patterns. The chapter also examines the convergence and divergence in local government systems across Europe, showing a dominant trend towards fewer and larger municipalities over time, although with notable exceptions. Lastly, it investigates the potential spatial diffusion of amalgamation reforms, identifying clusters of reforms influenced by geographical proximity and international organizations.