Lock-in, paradox and regional renewal. Issue 8 (3rd August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Newey, Lance R.; Coenen, Lars
• Is Part Of: Regional studies. Volume 56:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 1333
• Page End: 1346
• Publication Date: 2022-08-03
• Subjects: old industrial regions -- political lock-in -- cognitive lock-in -- gridlock -- self-collective paradox -- case study; D79 -- R58; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 307.14
• DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1976745
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-3404

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper focuses on the interaction between political and cognitive lock-in in stalling attempts at regional renewal of old industrial regions. It draws on analysis of the city of Anchorage, Alaska. The decline of the oil industry has been followed by a gridlock: a pattern of being stuck and polarized. This gridlock is caused by a particular type of lock-in: an excessive polarization to individual economic gain has at the same time removed incentives to develop capabilities at the collective level. A key implication is that the inability to perceive and work with paradox is a cognitive barrier sustaining political lock-in.