Vasilis Avdikos

Regional inequalities in the EU

This study deals with the long standing problem of uneven spatial development. Under a new perspective, drawn from the theory of Structuration and the Gramscian notion of Hegemony, provides a new theoretical interpretation and explanation of the issue of uneven spatial development. Moreover, it treats prosperous regions-localities as spatial hegemonies produced by a collective (group) interest over the allocation of a scarce resource which gives to the groups engaged in its production a competing advantage in the economic sphere. This common interest is derived through a critical assessment (true consciousness) of spatial historic (positive and negative) externalities and it is supported by the spatial ideological support of a given superstructure. On the other hand, when agents uncritically accept their social system (false consciousness), they lie in a condition of social inertia, without the ability to find a common interest, which in extreme conditions can become hegemonic itself. Between these two 'edges' (hegemonic blocs- hegemonic inertia) of uneven spatial development, the following issues will be examined:

1. The role of spatial ideologies- identities and how these ideologies- identities are constructed and supported,
2. The role of local, national and supranational (EU) institutions in the process of that spatial ideological development
3. The role of the hegemonic blocs that are developing and their relations with these institutions
4. The particular role of the EU funds (and information flows) in the development of a spatial hegemonic bloc and in the development of a spatial ideology-identity