In a blog post on the RSA web site, Paul Buddery considers the role of localism against the backdrop of a government increasingly committed to devolution.

He suggests that after years of argument, counter-argument and downright inertia, devolution’s moment has arrived.  Big is once again beautiful. But where does this leave localism? While devolution is a technical change, localism is best understood as a philosophy – a theory or attitude that can guide decision making. One reason that small can still be beautiful is that a knowable space may be a good environment for reciprocal altruism.

Over the coming months the RSA will be teasing out different localist assumptions, testing their weight and applications in an attempt to ensure that the benefits of devolution are fully realized.

Read Paul’s full blog post on the RSA Blog. [Source: RSA Blog 29 May 2015]