ABSTRACT
One of the classic aspirations of welfare states is that their policies should have a
uniform state-wide reach. The aim is to ensure equity of provision for all citizens irres-
pective of where they live within the state. One of the classic aspirations of federal,
devolved or other forms of decentralised government is diversity of policy provision.
The aim is to reflect the distinctive preferences of different, territorially demarcated
communities within the state.
