Local governments on the global stage: proposal for Santa Rosa (La Pampa)

Abstract

Introduction: The paper addressed the growing phenomenon of the internationalization of local governments in the context of globalization. It pointed out that, far from being an end in itself, this practice represented a strategic tool for local development. The city of Santa Rosa, capital of La Pampa, had lacked a coherent international policy until now, which justified the development of a comprehensive proposal linking international action with sustainable territorial development.
Development: Internationalization was analyzed as a cross-cutting public policy that allowed subnational governments to connect their needs with global opportunities. Following Mariana Calvento, it was argued that this policy responded to decentralization processes in the context of neoliberalism and the fiscal crisis. In addition, the concept of local development was examined from a perspective that went beyond the mere notion of economic growth. The contributions of Daniel Arroyo, who highlighted the evolution of the municipal role towards more active functions, and Fabio Quetglás, who linked development to the construction of citizenship, understood as effective participation and the expansion of rights, were revisited.
Conclusions: It was concluded that municipal internationalization should be conceived as a city project, based on a lasting institutional strategy that enhances the territory's capacities. The proposal called for the coordination of local networks, resources, and actors to generate an inclusive development model with an impact on the quality of life of the population of Santa Rosa.