A Comparative Analysis of Selected Approaches to Municipal Amalgamation in Europe Since 2000

This diploma thesis compares different approaches to addressing the territorial fragmentation of local self-government in Europe since 2000. The objective of the study is to analyze and evaluate three fundamentally different reform models: the Danish model of radical top-down amalgamation, the Dutch model of motivated voluntarism, and the French model of inter-municipal cooperation. The theoretical framework of the thesis is based on an analysis of administrative capacity and the concept of economies of scale. Furthermore, the work utilizes New Public Management theory, the concept of veto players, and path dependency theory to explain the political barriers preventing structural changes. The practical part employs a comparative analysis of ten key parameters to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. The final section is devoted to a discussion on the transferability of foreign experiences to the specific environment of the Czech Republic, which is characterized by extreme settlement fragmentation and strong political resistance from local elites. The outcome of the thesis is a synthesis of recommendations for the Czech public administration derived from international best practices, seeking a balance between economic efficiency and the preservation of local political identity.