Przedmiot i metodologia rozprawy doktorskiej „Reformy decentralizacyjne w Wielkiej Brytanii a rozwój transportu”

Abstract

The article explains the methodological aspects of the doctoral thesis on the impact of the devolution reforms on the functioning and the development of the British transport system. Devolution in the United Kingdom – viewed simply as a process of political decentralisation – has nonetheless complex and asymmetrical nature with different territorial jurisdictions granted different powers and institutional arrangements. Arguments for decentralisation and devolution in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England have emphasised the potential of those countries to foster innovation in policy making, also in the area of transport. Thus, it was justified to raise questions about divergence or convergence of transport solutions between those territorial jurisdictions and try to assess the extent to which devolution has impacted upon the formulation and delivery of transport policy in the UK. Although difficult with ongoing qualitative readjustments of devolved institutions’ functions and powers, it was possible to indicate both the direct relationship between the level of autonomy and the successful policy innovation and the positive correlation between the level of autonomy and the increase in transport investments.