Challenging the state [electronic resource] : devolution and the battle for partisan credibility : a comparison of Belgium, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom / Sonia Alonso. Alonso, Sonia. Decentralization in government. Decentralization in government European Union countries. State, The. JN50 .A57 2012 320.8094 23 Includes bibliographical references and index. Description based on print version record. Why do national governments implement devolution given the high risk that it will encourage peripheral parties to demand ever more devolved powers? The aim of 'Challenging the State' is to answer this question through a comparative analysis of devolution in four European countries: Belgium, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2012. 2012. 2012 Text 1 online resource (xiv, 262 p.) : http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199691579.001.0001 eng Comparative politics Comparative politics. European Union countries.