The territorial politics of social policy development in multi-level states

Abstract This article examines policy divergence and convergence from the perspective of territorial politics. It considers the significance and consequences of policy divergence, and the manner in which public policies are used to serve territorial objectives in multi-level states. It argues that the practice of assuming policy ownership, and the contest for policy control, have more significance for territorial politics than does the divergence or convergence of public policy. Its focus is on Scotland and the UK, but it draws upon the experiences of Quebec and Canada to gain insight into the territorial politics of policy development in a multi-level and multi-national state.