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Local Government

Code: 101110
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Political Science and Public Management OP 3
Political Science and Public Management OP 4
Contemporary History, Politics and Economics OP 3
Contemporary History, Politics and Economics OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Natalia Rosetti Maffioli
Email :
natalia.rosetti@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

The student has to be interested in the political science approach to the local government with key issues such as local democracy, public policies analysis or public management, focused on the local perspective. We should also be interested in following the information on local government and on local political issues that appear in the media.
The student should has motivations for local issues and should be able to understand academic articles in English.

 

 

 

Objectives

The main objectives are to learn about the basic elements about local governments: normative principles, structures, actors, policy agenda in order to analyse the reality of local governments in Catalonia from a critical and well-founded viewpoint, in the context of Spain and the European Union. In addition, the anlysis will also try to propose future alternatives based on current debates on municipalism.

This subject is optional. However, the fact of dealing with the first stage of the political and administrative structure and, at the same time, with a proper reality for each student, gives it a great specific weight. Local governments are also one of the most promising areas for professional practice. For this reason, the course aims to articulate theoretical reflections on local governments with the study and debate of local practices.

Learning outcomes

  1. Working in teams and networking, particularly in interdisciplinary conditions.
  2. Identifying sources of data and conducting bibliographic and documentary searches.
  3. Synthesizing and critically analysing information.
  4. Interpreting and applying English texts in an academic way.
  5. Arguing from different theoretical perspectives.
  6. Working by using quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques in order to apply them to research processes.
  7. Using the main information and documentation techniques (ICT) as an essential tool for the analysis.
  8. Demonstrating good writing skills in different contexts.
  9. Showing a good capacity for transmitting information, distinguishing key messages for their different recipients.
  10. Realising effective oral presentations that are suited to the audience.
  11. Managing the available time in order to accomplish the established objectives and fulfil the intended task.
  12. Working autonomously.
  13. Producing and planning researches or analytical reports.
  14. Designing data collection techniques, coordinating the information processing and meticulously applying hypothesis verification methods.
  15. Properly explaining and describing main theoretical approaches of the analysis of political sciences: cycle of politics, actor-network, institutional approaches, rational choice theory.
  16. Appropriately using the contributions of Lindblom, Wildavsky, Marsh and Rhodes, Lowi.
  17. Distinguishing the phases of public politics: formulation, decision, implementation and evaluation.
  18. Critically analysing the configuration process of the public agenda.
  19. Suggesting and explaining a case study of a concrete public policy.
  20. Critically assessing some of the public policies carried out by an authority in the State of Autonomies.
  21. Describing and understanding the functioning of the Public Administration on a state, sub-state and supranational level.
  22. Applying the knowledge of the Public Administrations on its various levels to practical and professional concrete cases.
  23. Demonstrating the understanding of intergovernmental relationships and identifying the position of Public Administrations in the political system.
  24. Analysing public policies, both in their elaboration and implementation processes.
  25. Using different tools for the analysis and explanation of the formulation, decision, implementation and evaluation processes in public policies.
  26. Describing and understanding the functioning of the Public Administration on a state, sub-state and supranational level.
  27. Demonstrate initiative and work independently when required.
  28. Identifying sources of data and conducting bibliographic and documentary searches.
  29. Properly explaining and describing main theoretical approaches of the analysis of political sciences: cycle of politics, actor-network, institutional approaches, rational choice theory.
  30. Differentiate between the main theories of the discipline and its different fields: conceptual developments, theoretical frameworks and approaches that provide the basis for knowledge of the discipline and its different areas and sub-areas as well as their value for professional practice through case studies.
  31. Applying the discipline's main theories and different fields to real practical and professional problems.
  32. Develop critical thought and reasoning and be able to communicate them effectively, both in your own language and second or third languages.
  33. Develop strategies for autonomous learning.
  34. Act with ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values.
  35. Make changes to the methods and processes of the area of knowledge to provide innovative responses to the needs and wishes of society.
  36. Assess the social, economic and environmental impact when acting in this field of knowledge.
  37. Take sex- or gender-based inequalities into consideration when operating within one's own area of knowledge.
  38. Students must be capable of knowing and applying basic terminology in English related to political sciences.

Contents

PART 1. Introductory elements



  1. Localism and the right to the city.
  2. Local democracy and government: the case of Spain
  3. Public policy analysis and evaluation: Methodological review and resources for the local arena. Case studies.
  4. Gender perspective and local government.



PART 2. Challenges for local governments


5. Cities and territories in a global-local. Network cities.

6. Models of local government in Europe in comparative perspective.

7. The rural-urban dichotomy and metropolitan governance




PART 3. Politics and local government


8. The rules of the game of local democracy: Electoral system, formation of governments and the map of local political actors.

9. New municipalism and dynamics of change in the local political arena.

10. Powers, competences and financing of local governments.

11. Participatory democracy at local level. Citizen participation and co-production: spaces, instruments and processes.


PART 4. What do municipalities do?: local public policies


12. Social, economic and enviromental changes and their impact on local policies.


13. Local policies for social inclusion, economy, public space and territory.Local response to locial inequalities and segregation.


14. Transversal axes of local public policy. Climate crisis and ecological transition policies. Feminisms and gender policies.


15. Demographical, ecological and technological transicions and local policies.


16. Emerging areas in local policies.





Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Supervised 35 1.4
Autonomous 75 3
Directed 40 1.6

The course will combine a well-founded theoretical approach with practical exercises that allow a direct approach to the reality of local government.
The theoretical foundations will be exposed in the classes and open at all times to the participation of students, for clarification and debate.
The foundations of the theory will be based on autonomous study, from the material exposed in the classes and other material that will be indicated.
The study work will be complemented by three individual text analysis exercises and debate that will take place between the students, led by the teacher. These exercises will be given between the months of October and December.
The practical work will consist of applied research on a municipality chosen by the students. The various topics covered in the subject will be exemplified in the case of the chosen local government. The work will be carried out in teams.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Exam 50 0 0 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 15, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33, 34
Applied team research with oral and written presentation 30 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38
Case analysis, readings and class debates 20 0 0 3, 4, 10, 16, 20, 21, 23, 29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38

The evaluation of this course consists of the following parts:


- Seminars: Text analysis papers, with class discussion, and the analysis and resolution of practical cases that will be raised and discussed in class, 20% of final mark.

- A work, in teams, of applied research, with presentation in class, 30%.

- A final exam, 50%.


Important considerations:


Students who fail the continuous evaluation can have a compensatory evaluation.

To pass the course, it is necessary to pass both the practical work and the exam. To pass the practical work, it is necessary to have attended the corresponding presentations and debates.

The exam will be held at the end of the term, on a day to be fixed by the Faculty.

Students who have not passed all the practical work may take a new, individual examination, determined by the professor, to obtain the necessary mark.

Students who have not passed the exam will have the opportunity to take advantage of compensatory activities.


FINAL EXAM+ ESSAY ASSESSMENT ONLY

Students opting for a final exam and assessment only will have to pass an exam at the end of the term and will also have to hand out a long essay on a subject to be agreed at the beginning of the term (70%+30% and both compulsory).


Non-assessable students. When it is considered that the student has not been able to provide sufficient evidence (50% of the work) of assessment in the report, this subject will be recorded as non-assessable.


In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the development of coursework, provided that the final outcome reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final result of the activity. Failure to disclose the use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a penalty to the activity grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.


Any irregularity committed in an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course guide) that may lead to a significant alteration of the grade will result in that assessment being graded with a 0. If the course guide stipulates that obtaining a minimum grade in that assessment activity is an essential requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0.

Teaching staff reserve the right to conduct oral interviews or an alternative assessment in order to verify the effective acquisition of knowledge and competencies and, consequently, the validity of the assessment activities completed by the student.



Bibliography

The most relevant readings will be indicated throughout the course and will be the basis for preparing the course. Other readings will be indicated to prepare seminars and debates in class.


There are some readings that can be used as reference manuals:

  • Bonet, J. i Ubasart, G. (2010): “Guia de Govern Local”; Icaria Editorial, Biblioteca de recursos veïnals, Barcelona. Descarregable a:http://auditoriabdn.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/guia-de-govern-local-catalc3a0.pdf
  • Font i Llobet , T. (dir.) (2023) Repensar el govern local: perspectives actuals, Generalitat de Catalunya. Institut d’Estudis de l’Autogovern.
  • Subirats, J. (2016) El poder de lo próximo. Las virtudes del municipalismo, Catarata, Barcelona.
  • Martí-Costa, M. Tomàs, M. (coord.) (2019) Governança metropolitana; IERMB: UAB Bellaterra.
  • Mir, J. (2015): “Ajuntament fàcil més transparent”; Federació de Municipis de Catalunya.

Reference readings:

PART 1 and 2.

  • Barres, R.iMartí-Costa,M. “La representación democrática en los gobiernos metropolitanos en Europa: entre el reescalamiento de los sistemas locales y la innovación institucional” a Revista Española de Ciencia Política. Núm. 59. Julio 2022,pp. 43-6
  • Bonet, J. i Ubasart, G. (2010):2. El marc legislatiu de l’administració local, pp. 25-29.
  • Borja, J. et.al. (2016) Ciudades para cambiar la vida. Café de las ciudades: Buenos Aires.
  • Habitat III (2016) Nueva Agenda Urbana; ONU, Habitat: Nairobi
  • Harvey, D. (2013) Ciudades rebeldes. Del derecho a la ciudad a la revolución urbana. Madrid: Akal. Capítol 1. El derecho a la ciudad.
  • IERMB (2017) Repensar la metròpoli: noves claus per a un projecte col.lectiu [Anuari metropolità de Barcelona 2016] https://iermb.uab.cat/ca/iermb/anuari/repensar-la-metropoli-noves-claus-per-un-projecte-col-lectiu-anuari-metropolita-de-barcelona-2016
  • IERM (2020) Resiliència municipal davant la crisi de la covid-19 a la metròpoli de Barcelona.
  • IERMB (2022) Cap a la metròpoli 2030. Reptes emergents, coneixemnts innovadors [Anuari metropolità de Barcelona 2021]
  • Iglesias, M. et al. (2011): \"Políticas urbanas en España. Grances ciudades, actores y gobiernos locales\"; Barcelona: Icària; pp. 23-41. Descarregable.
  • Jacobs, J. (2023) Mort i vida de les grans ciutats, Virus Editorial.
  • Le Galès, Patrick (2021) The rise of Local Politics: A Global Review a Annual Review of Political Science, Vol. 24, 345–63.
  • Martí-Costa, M. Tomàs, M. (coord.) (2019) Governança metropolitana; IERMB: UAB Bellaterra.
  • Nel.lo, O., Blanco, I., Gomà, R. (eds.) (2022) El apoyo mutuo en tiempos de crisis. La solidaridad ciutadana durante la pandèmia COVID19, Buenos Aires: CLACSO, Barcelona: UAB, IERMB. Disponible on line. (Introducció i conclusions)
  • Page, E. (1991) “Localism and centralism in Europe”,Londres: Sage
  • Pradel, M. i García, M. (coord.) (2018) El momento de la ciudadanía. Innovación socialygobernanza urbana, Barcelona: Los libros de la Catarata
  • Revista CIDOB d'Afers Internacionals, n.123, Municipalismo internacional y derecho a la ciudad. Las ciudades en la era de la globalización, Desembre 2019.
  • Sorando,D. i Ardura, A. (2016) First we take manhattan: la destruccion creativa de las ciudades, Catarata, Barcelona.
  • Subirats, J. (2019) “Movimientos sociales y esfera local. La proximidad como espacio de protección y emancipación” a Desacatos: Revista de Ciencias Sociales, Núm. 61, pp. 162-169.
  • Subirats, J. i Martí-Costa, M. (eds.) (2015) Ciudades y cambio de época: discursos sobre políticas urbanas y crisis en España, Bilbao, Universidad del País Vasco (on line)
  • Tomàs,M. i Martí-Costa, M. (2011): \"La reconfiguración de la agenda urbana: El debate europeo\" a Iglesias et al.: \"Políticas urbanas en España. Grances ciudades, actores y gobiernos locales\", Barcelona: Icària; pp. 23-41.
  • Tomàs, M. (2002) El debat sobre l’eficiència i la democràcia local, Diputació de Barcelona.
  • Tomàs Fornés, Mariona (ed.) (2023) Metrópolis sin gobierno: la anomalía española en Europa, Tirant lo Blanc (disponible en línia).
  • Wollmann, H. (2004): “Local Government Reforms in Great Britain, Sweden, Germany and France: Between Multi-Function and Single-Purpose Organisations”, Local Government Studies, Vol.30, No.4, pp. 639-665.
  • Ciutats i Persones: Col·lecció Grana de l’Institut de Ciències Polítiques i Socials https://www.icps.cat/publicacions/materials-cip/colleccio-grana
  • Quaderns metodològics feministes (Ajuntament de Barcelona) https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/dones/ca/recursos/documentacio/quaderns-metodologicsfeministes

PART 3. Politics and local government

  • Bianchi, Iolanda i Russell, Bertie (Eds.) (2026) Radical Municipalism: The Politics of the Common and the Democratization of Public Services, Bristol: Bristol University Press
  • Blanco, I. i Gomà, R. (2016) El municipalisme del bé comú, Barcelona,Icària.
  • Canal, R. (Ed.) (2013) Ciudades y pueblos que puedan durar. Políticas locales para una nueva época, Icaria Editorial, Barcelona. (Bloc V)
  • Font, J. i Blanco, I. (2003) Polis, la ciutat participativa. Participar en els municipis: qui, com i perquè, Barcelona: Diputació de Barcelona. Pp. 47-73.
  • Ibarra, P. et.al. (2018) Nuevos movimientos sociales. De la calle a los ayuntamientos, Icària: BCN.
  • IERMB (2018) El dret a la metròpoli. Anuari metropolità de Barcelona 2017, Bellaterra: Institut d'Estudis Regionals i Metropolitans de Barcelona
  • Martí, S. Gomà, R. et.al. (2018) Movimientos sociales y derecho a la ciudad, Icària: Barcelona
  • Nez, Héloïse, Petithomme, Mathieu i Fernçandez García, Alicia (eds.) (2026) Ciudades rebeldes. Municipalismo y poder local en España (2015-2023), Madrid: Postmetrópolis Editorial.
  • Observatorio Metropolitano (2014) “La apuesta municipalista. La democracia empieza por lo cercano”, Madrid: Traficantes de sueños. (Capítol 3)
  • Parés, M., Castellà, C., García Brugada, M. (Direcció) (2015) Repensant la participació de la ciutadania al món local, Diputació de Barcelona.
  • Roth, L., Monterde, A., Calleja, A. (eds.) (2019) Ciudades democráticasla revuelta municipalista en el ciclo post-15 M. Barcelona: Icària
  • Ubasart, G. (2012) “Candidatures populars i alternatives a Catalunya. Construint democràcia”, Barcelona: Icària Editorial
  • Vilaregut, R. (2019) Ajuntaments pel canvi. Menys del que volien, més del que es pensaven, Lleida: Pagès Editors
  • Wollmann, H. (2014): La reciente reforma del gobierno local en España. Reflexiones desde una perspectiva comparada, Cuadernos Manuel Giménez Abad, nº 8, diciembre.




PART 4. What do municipalities do?: local public policies

  • Antxustegi-etxearte, O. (2014) Del suburbi a ciutat. El Pla Popular de Santa Coloma de Gramenet,Edicions Fòrum-Grama.
  • Blanco, I.Gomà, R. (2002) Gobiernos localesy redes participativas, Barcelona: Ariel.
  • Blanco, I. Gomà, R.(2016) El municipalisme del bé comú, Icària: Barcelona
  • Brugué, Q. (2022)Organizaciones que saben, organizaciones que aprenden, Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública: Madrid.
  • Brugué, Q. i Gomà, R. (coord.) (1998) Gobiernos Locales y Políticas Públicas. Barcelona: Ariel. pp. 15-35.
  • Canal, R. (2013): “Ciudades y pueblos que puedan durar. Políticas locales para una nueva época”, Icaria Editorial, Barcelona. (Blocs de I a IV)
  • De La Fuente, M. (coord.) (2016) Exclusió social i gènere a l'àmbit local. Transversalitat, interseccionalitat i empoderament, Barcelona: ICPS.
  • Fernández de Losada, A. i Abdullah, H. (eds.) (2020) Cities on the frontline: managing the coronavirus crisis, Barcelona: CIDOB.
  • Iglesias,M. et.al. (2011): Políticas urbanas en España. Grandes ciudades, actores y gobiernos locales, Barcelona: Icàri
  • Klinenberg, E. (2021) Palacios del pueblo. Políticas para una sociedad más igualitaria, Capitán Swing.
  • Navarro Yáñez, C.J. et alt (eds.) (2019), Innovación en políticas urbanas. Perspectivas, metodologías y casos, Barcelona: Icaria
  • Subirats, J. García Bernardos, A. (2015) Innovación social y políticas urbanas en España, Icària: BCN.
  • Subirats, J. i Martí-Costa,M. (eds.) (2015) Ciudades y cambio de época: discursos sobre políticas urbanas y crisis en España, Bilbao: Universidad del País Vasco

Software

The necessary to apply quantitative and qualitative techniques in the research project.

In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution of the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty, or greater sanctions in serious cases.

 

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed