Del agravio a la emulación: análisis del efecto tractor en el traspaso de competencias en el estado de las autonomías

This article examines the evolution of decentralisation in Spain through a comprehensive analysis of 1,956 transfer decrees from 1978 to 2020, covering 1,846 areas of competence. Using these data, the authors explore the asymmetric nature of the Spanish territorial model and the pivotal role played by Catalonia and the Basque Country as initiators of decentralisation dynamics. The study shows how these regions act as drivers, with other Autonomous Communities subsequently replicating or emulating their competences in a process of institutional diffusion. The research categorises the nature of these transfers as grouped or individualised, uncovering patterns of synchrony and negotiation strategies. The findings underline the bilateral and political character of the process, which is deeply influenced by party dynamics and parliamentary coalitions. The study contributes to the comparative literature on asymmetric federalism and institutional emulation, offering insights into the ongoing, non-linear nature of Spanish decentralisation. By focusing on transferred competences as the analytical unit, the article highlights the long-term leadership of certain regions in shaping Spain’s decentralised state, known as the Estado de las Autonomías.