The promises and pitfalls of operationalizing inclusive growth

Abstract

Inclusive growth is a resurgent concern for policymakers, raising questions about what economic development is for and the outcomes to be prioritized. This paper contributes to the literature by examining the opportunities and challenges emerging from attempts to operationalize inclusive growth in four regional contexts in Scotland. We show that applying inclusive growth ultimately rests on complex factors, from local leadership and autonomy through to the guidance and analytical support provided by other orders of government. Implementing inclusive growth hinges, indeed, on securing incremental, practical change that is attentive to varied regional challenges.