Joint Bodies – a Key Factor for Successful Autonomous Systems? The Cases of the Italian Special Regions and the Åland Islands

Territorial autonomy is significantly affected by the operation of IGR (intergovernmental relations) institutions and practices. Indeed, it could be said that autonomous arrangements need an effective system of IGR – be it formal or informal – based on mutual trust in order to work successfully and realize their potential. With a view to shedding some light on the described relation between autonomy and IGR, the article deals with particular IGR institutions existing in the Italian and Finnish legal systems, namely the joint committees (JC) for the implementation of the Autonomy Statutes (ASt) (of the special Regions) and the Åland Delegation (ÅD). Both are bodies equally composed of members of the central state and the autonomous entity, and they are considered of particular interest for they seem to be among the main keys to the success of the analyzed autonomies. The comparison – which takes into account institutional and, insofar as possible, non-institutional aspects – aims primarily to verify this statement in both cases. Moreover, comparing them may be of further interest to increase the knowledge surrounding these institutions and their role, as well as to draw inspiration for possible solutions for both these and other systems.