ABSTRACT
Chapter 1, entitled ‘Introducing localism’, familiarizes the reader with the book’s theme. The book addresses three main questions: (1) what is localism, and what does it involve? (2) How useful and important a concept is localism? (3) How can localism contribute to the task of institutional and system design? The book’s two aims are, firstly, to establish localism as a political doctrine for our times and, secondly, to point towards a more effective way of designing political systems. This chapter outlines six key themes and paradigms which feature prominently throughout the book, including multi-level governance and public value. The structure and content of the book’s eight chapters are briefly summarized, and an indication given of the main conclusions the book will draw. Digital technologies are rapidly helping to free localities from the centuries-old constraints of small scale and parochialism. This trend needs to be factored into the design of contemporary political systems.
