Comparative Local Governance: Analysing Patterns of Influence on Local Political Systems

Abstract

As with other comparative exercises, the comparative analysis of local governance faces some methodological challenges, including sample design and the measurement of the concepts involved. One of the main issues is the analysis of the patterns of infl uence of various actors on local government decisions. This article proposes a measurement model to analyse patterns of influence using comparative surveys of political leaders. This model holds that patterns of infl uence are organised around four sectors of actors (local government, intergovernmental, pro-growth, and public interest groups), and that these sectors are organised according to two political arenas (governmental and social). Using a survey of European mayors across 17 countries, the proposal is validated by confirmatory factor analysis. This proposal could be useful to analyse studies conducted previously or to design new studies.