ABSTRACT

As pointed out by the editors in the introduction to this volume, the field of study on regionalism remains ‘beset by rather stark divisions’. One could add that the study of regionalism today resembles the situation described by Gabriel Almond some time ago through his ‘separate tables’ metaphor (Almond 1990, 13–29). There may be continuing dialogue inside the various theoretical communities, but almost none between them. This state of theoretical relativism could lead to greater conceptual confusion and ambiguity (Sbragia 2008, 34).