Assessing the Drivers and Consequences of 'Multi-Level' States' Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the G7

This project studies how ‘multi-level’ states -states in which decisions are made by central and by regional governments- coordinated their responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic generated tensions in these countries because while regional governments could take the measures required for tackling the crisis in their jurisdiction, they also needed to coordinate their actions with other regional and central governments, to ensure their response was effective. The puzzle this project tackles is why the ‘multi-level’ states in the G7 responded to this pressure so differently. It also assesses what problems and conflicts emerged from their efforts to coordinate policy. The project will produce two articles, two policy briefs and one summary report detailing how and why coordination was achieved and with what effect. These will be presented to policymakers from G7 countries during four outreach activities, in order to assist governments to better coordinate their responses to future pandemics.

Research team: Dr Simon Toubeau, University of Nottingham; Dr Hanna Kleider, King’s College London; Professor Francesco Palermo, Institute for Comparative Federalism, EURAC Research and University of Verona

Project Partner: Institute for Comparative Federalism, EURAC Research

Impact Partner: Institute for Government