Tullunion

Tullunion is a hypothetical framework for inter-city or inter-regional cooperation that seeks to coordinate public policy and investment across multiple local governments while preserving local autonomy. In this conception, a tullunion forms a supralocal entity responsible for shared functions such as regional transport, land-use planning, infrastructure financing, and environmental policy, funded through a partially pooled budget and intergovernmental transfers. Member units retain their elected governments, but donors and recipients participate in joint decision-making through a central council.

Origins and use: The term appears in academic debate on regionalism and metropolitan governance as a theoretical construct rather than a defined legal jurisdiction. It is discussed in case studies and speculative analyses exploring how metropolitan regions could achieve scale while maintaining local accountability.

Governance: A tullunion typically features a representative council with seats allocated to member units, a rotating presidency, and a permanent secretariat. Fiscal arrangements may include a shared regional fund for strategic investments, with revenue raised locally but redistributed to ensure cross-unit equity. Policy competencies cover long-range planning, major infrastructure, and regional environmental standards, while local authorities retain control over most everyday services.

Advantages and challenges: Proponents argue that tullunion can unlock economies of scale, reduce fragmentation, and improve cross-border project delivery. Critics warn of sovereignty loss, democratic legitimacy, complex bargaining dynamics, and potential governance deadlock. Real-world implementation remains uncertain, with discussions mainly in theoretical or fiction contexts.

See also: Federalism, regional integration, metropolitan governance, fiscal federalism.