In sum, this theme issue develops the literature on subnational government and governance and economic and social development. Some accepted wisdom has been challenged and qualified, and new insights have been provided. Collectively, the papers point towards a rich future research agenda. Such endeavour might include consideration of-inter alia-the following questions: to what extent can devolved territories and institutions convert the opportunities that devolution presents into more effective public policies? How can territorial justice and equity be combined with potential diversity in a devolving nation-state (Morgan, 2001)? What kinds of supporting interterritorial fiscal equalisation systems and regional policies at the supranational and national levels can support the subnational governance of economic and social development? What kinds of territorial politics can deliver progressive economic and social development under subnational governance? How can representative and participatory democracy be reconciled within subnational government and governance? As devolution continues to unfold internationally, the character, form, and substance of the evolution of subnational governance and its relations to economic and social development require close attention to interpret their enduring importance and significance.