ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to confront some of the common debates relating to regional development and, utilising research conducted in the UK, to question the role of elected and non-elected forms of regional representation. All the trends and issues reveal not only the resurgence of the regional government debate in the UK, but the wide variety of inputs into the discussion surrounding the concept of regional democracy. Certain reports, supporting the role of regional government, present democratic arguments based upon issues of identity, representation and accountability. Many have argued that a democratic framework is fundamental for maintaining a successful free market system. These include Neo-Marxists, such as Jessop, neo-Liberals, such as Fukuyama and pluralists, such as Dahl; this is considering the nature of the liberal democracies espoused by each is significantly different. The chapter examines empirical research carried out in four case study areas: Scotland, Wales, the North West and the North East.
