Examining the “Referendum Theory” in Taiwan’s Local Elections

2020 ◽  
pp. 002190962096676
Author(s):  
Eric Chen-hua Yu ◽  
Kah-yew Lim
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Approval Rating ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Positive Assessment ◽  
Incumbent Party ◽  
National Governments ◽  
Open Seat

This paper analyzes the extent to which the performances of local and national governments can shape local election outcomes. Specifically, we use various waves of survey data from Taiwan’s Elections and Democratization Studies (TEDS) to explore whether a person’s assessments of local and central government performances affect his/her vote for the incumbent party candidate. Our empirical findings partially verify the so-called “referendum theory” and can be summarized as follows: First, voters who hold a positive assessment of the performance of local government are more likely to vote for an incumbent who seeks reelection, but this is not necessarily the case for an incumbent party candidate in an open-seat contest. Second, Taiwan’s local elections cannot be regarded as referenda on the central government because the central government approval rating does not consistently affect vote choices across different types/levels of local elections.

scholarly journals Women Mayors in Portugal: A Case Study in Political Representation and Citizenship

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (68) ◽  
pp. 27-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Antónia de Figueiredo Pires de Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Local Politics ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
National Elections ◽  
Representation Of Women ◽  
Positive Effects

Abstract Introduction The article presents a historical analysis of the participation of women in Portuguese politics and reveals the positive effects of the introduction of the parity law in 2006. In the 2015 national elections, for the first time one third of the elected the Members of the Portuguese Parliament were women. However, in municipalities there is still a long way to go to reach this level of female political representation. Does the political system limit women’s access only to elected positions? Thus, important questions remain: why are women still a minority in local politics? What obstacles do they encounter? And what can be done to improve the situation? Materials and Methods For this investigation, data were collected on the electronic pages of municipalities and political parties, as well as in the press, to monitor the evolution of the presence of women in Portuguese local government, initially as members of the administrative commissions appointed to manage municipal councils from 1974 to the first elections that took place on December 12, 1976 and then as elected representatives from 1976 to the latest 2017 local elections, comparing this level with central government. Results The study of this group reveals higher educational levels and more specialized jobs among women than among men, particularly in teaching and management. There is also discussion of partisan membership and it is revealed that left-wing parties invest more in women for local government than do right-wing parties. Discussion Although four decades have passed since the democratic regime was established, the representation of women in politics is still incipient. We present some examples of policy actions that can encourage the presence of women in local government and increase their role as active citizens.

scholarly journals The implementation of Cost-Effective in Spanish local governments: Analysis of institutional work in a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-90
Author(s):  
José María González-González ◽  
Manuel Jesús García-Fénix
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Public Management ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Institutional Work ◽  
Different Types

Este trabajo se propone analizar las formas de trabajo institucional desarrolladas por distintos actores para la emergencia e implantación del Coste Efectivo de los Servicios de las Entidades Locales (CESEL). Los resultados del estudio de caso longitudinal realizado ponen de manifiesto que los principales actores, Gobierno Central y Ayuntamiento, llevaron a cabo diferentes formas de trabajo institucional (político, cultural y técnico), surgiendo conflictos durante su desarrollo debido a las distintas lógicas institucionales en las que se apoyaron: eficiencia económica e interés social, respectivamente. Este trabajo contribuye a la perspectiva teórica adoptada evidenciando que las formas en las que se desarrolla el trabajo institucional por distintos actores determinan la configuración final de la nueva institución que quiere crearse. Así, aunque la regulación estableció como finalidad del CESEL profundizar en el cumplimiento de los principios de eficiencia y de transparencia de la gestión pública local, las formas en las que se ha desarrollado el trabajo institucional durante su implantación lo han configurado como un instrumento de transparencia, presentando además serias limitaciones para que ésta sea efectiva. This paper aims to analyze the forms of institutional work carried out by different actors with regard to the emergence and implementation of Cost-Effective of Local Government Services (CESEL, Coste Efectivo de los Servicios de las Entidades Locales). The results of the longitudinal case study evidence that the main actors, Central Government and Local Government, carried out different types of institutional work (political, cultural and technical), by arising conflicts during their development due to the different institutional logics in which they were supported: economic efficiency and social interest, respectively. This work contributes to the theoretical perspective adopted by evidencing that the ways in which institutional work is developed by different actors determine the final configuration of the new institution that is to be created. Thus, although the regulation established that the purpose of CESEL is to deepen on compliance with the principles of efficiency and transparency of local public management, the ways in which the institutional work has been developed during its implementation have configured it as an instrument for transparency and also it presents serious limitations so that transparency is effective.

Taiwan-China city-level ties bypass central government

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Central Government ◽  
National Level ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Democratic Progressive Party ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
National Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Investment ◽  
National Governments ◽  
Progressive Party

Subject Relations between sub-national governments in Taiwan and China. Significance China is attempting to bypass Taiwan’s central government -- with which it has severed formal ties -- and forge better relations with major municipalities and locally elected leaders. These efforts have found greater success since recent local elections that dealt major setbacks to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Impacts Politicians from both parties will be emboldened to turn to Chinese investment to stimulate local economies. Han Kuo-yu, newly elected mayor of Kaohsiung city, could lead the main opposition party’s comeback at the national level. Relations with China are likely to play a decisive role once again in Taiwan’s 2020 national elections.

Devolution offers rewards in Egypt, but may be gradual

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Local Administration ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Democratic Reform ◽  
Job Opportunities

Subject The Local Administration Draft Law. Significance A new Local Administration Draft Law is currently being discussed in parliament to replace the existing legislation, dating from 1979. The capacity of local government to carry out various developmental functions has long been undermined by the centralised political and fiscal system. The new law, however, aims to give broader powers to subnational authorities. The law is meant to pave the way for local elections, scheduled for the first quarter of 2019. Impacts The central government will use local elections to boost its popularity and demonstrate commitment to democratic reform. The application of the new law will increase competition among local government units to attract private investment. The local economy will grow in areas where councillors can ease the process of doing business and decrease bureaucracy. More job opportunities will be created at the local level.

scholarly journals Voting in New Zealand local government elections: the need to encourage greater voter turnout

2021 ◽  
pp. 79-97
Author(s):  
Andy Asquith ◽  
Karen Webster ◽  
Andrew Cardow
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Local Democracy ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Financial Autonomy ◽  
General Competence

Within a global context, local government in New Zealand occupies an enviable position: it enjoys both a statutorily-defined ‘power of general competence’ and financial autonomy from central government. However, despite this, voter turnout rates in New Zealand local elections continue to fall as ever fewer New Zealanders engage in this fundamental act of civic engagement. This review article examines the decline in voting over the last four New Zealand local government elections (2010/13/16/19). It aims to do three things: plot the decline; identify and analyse the causes of this decline; and suggest ways in which the decline might be countered. The authors reach the conclusion that local government in New Zealand is at a crossroads – it will either be rejuvenated as a source of local democracy and prosper, or decline into an administrative arm of central government.

scholarly journals Making Sanitation and Hygiene a Human Security Issue: The case of Nyamagabe District, Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwizera, Maurice Kwizera, Maurice ◽  
Lambert Karangwa ◽  
Jeannette Murekatete ◽  
Gilbert Rukundo Mutabaruka ◽  
Jean Paul Mbarushimana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Security Issue ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Government Leadership ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Practical Experiences ◽  
National Governments

This case study was developed to inform subsequent research and analysis of local government leadership and prioritisation of sanitation and hygiene (S&H) in East Africa. Consolidated learning from across the three countries involved can be found in the Sanitation Learning Hub (SLH) Learning Brief: Strengthening sub-national systems for area-wide sanitation and hygiene. From late 2020 to early 2021, the SLH collaborated with local government actors and development partners from three sub-national areas to explore ways of increasing local government leadership and prioritisation of S&H to drive progress towards area-wide S&H. For some time, local government leadership has been recognised as key to ensuring sustainability and scale, it is an important component of the emerging use of systems strengthening approaches in the sanitation sector. It is hoped that this work will provide practical experiences to contribute to this thinking. Three case studies were developed to capture local government and development partners’ experiences supporting sub-national governments increase their leadership and prioritisation of S&H in Siaya County (Kenya), Nyamagabe District (Rwanda), and Moyo District (Uganda), all of which have seen progress in recent years. The development partners involved were UNICEF in Kenya, WaterAid in Rwanda, and WSSCC/ Uganda Sanitation Fund in Uganda. The cases were then analysed through three online workshops facilitated with staff from the local governments, central government ministries and development partners involved to explore them in further detail, review experiences and identify levers and blockages to change. Lessons from the workshops are documented in the SLH learning brief mentioned above. This is the case study developed by Nyamagabe District and WaterAid documenting their experiences and reflections from working together to increase prioritisation of S&H in Nyamagabe District, Rwanda.

scholarly journals Recentralization of local government chief administrative officers appointments in Uganda: Implications for downward accountability

2013 ◽  
pp. 17-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lazarus Nabaho
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Service Management ◽  
Civil Service ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Constitutional Amendment ◽  
Chief Administrative Officers ◽  
The Right ◽  
National Governments

The Uganda Constitution of 1995 spelt out the principle of decentralization by devolution. Accordingly, from 1995 to 2005, district local governments had a dejure mandate to hire and fire all categories of civil servants through their respective district service commissions (DSCs). Following the Constitutional amendment in September 2005, the right to hire and fire district chief administrative officers (CAOs) reverted to central government. Critics of recentralization of CAO appointments contend that the shift in the policy and legislation for managing CAOs runs contrary to the principles of decentralization by devolution. This paper argues that recentralization of CAOs has confused reporting, reduced the autonomy of sub-national governments in civil service management, undermined accountability of CAOs to elected councils, and shifted the loyalty of CAOs from local governments with and for which they work to central government that appoints and deploys them. To deepen accountability in local governments, the paper advocates for decentralization of CAO appointments, but for participation of central government in recruitment of CAOs within the confines of a separate personnel system. It further calls for a rethinking of the current call by the 9th Parliament to recentralize human resource in health in local governments owing to accountability challenges of managing the civil service in sub-national governments under an integrated personnel system.

scholarly journals The Covid-19 pandemic and local government finance: Czechia and Slovakia

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juraj Nemec ◽  
David Špaček
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Government Finance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Public Finance ◽  
Local Government Finance ◽  
Available Information ◽  
National Governments ◽  
Leading Question

PurposeThe current Covid-19 crisis research focuses especially on epidemiologic and macro-level socioeconomic aspects. It only marginally covers impacts on local budgets. Our intention is to enrich the existing limited debate on this dimension.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a qualitative research approach and is based on secondary research and information available in restrictive regulations of national governments, data published by governmental bodies, international statistics and media articles published before 30 June 2020. The authors also conducted six non-structured online interviews with the leading question: “How do you see the current and future impacts of the pandemic on local public finance?”FindingsAvailable information on Czechia and Slovakia indicates that the level of municipal fiscal imbalance as the result of the Covid-19 crisis is not proportional to the situation on the central level, and municipal financial resources are not commensurate with their responsibilities as outlined by the constitution and the law. Because the reaction of the central government in both countries to this situation has been inadequate, municipalities will face problems with service delivery in some areas, especially in culture and sport.Originality/valueThe authors enrich the growing debate about the current Covid-19 crisis and its consequences and focus on local government finance in two selected countries from Central and Eastern Europe.

A Holistic Approach to Accelerated Attainment of Open-Defecation Free Status in Moyo District

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Katwere Ssemwanga ◽  
Dominic Lomongin Aballa ◽  
Steven Amoko ◽  
Sheila Nduhukire
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Government Leadership ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Practical Experiences ◽  
National Governments

This case study was developed to inform subsequent research and analysis of local government leadership and prioritisation of sanitation and hygiene (S&H) in East Africa. Consolidated learning from across the three countries involved can be found in the Sanitation Learning Hub (SLH) Learning Brief: Strengthening sub-national systems for area-wide sanitation and hygiene. From late 2020 to early 2021, the SLH collaborated with local government actors and development partners from three subnational areas to explore ways of increasing local government leadership and prioritisation of S&H to drive progress towards area-wide S&H. For some time, local government leadership has been recognised as key to ensuring sustainability and scale and it is an important component of the emerging use of systems strengthening approaches in the sanitation sector. It is hoped that this work will provide practical experiences to contribute to this thinking. Three case studies were developed to capture local government and development partners’ experiences supporting sub-national governments increase their leadership and prioritisation of S&H in Siaya County (Kenya), Nyamagabe District (Rwanda), and Moyo District (Uganda), all of which have seen progress in recent years. The development partners involved were UNICEF in Kenya, WaterAid in Rwanda, and WSSCC/ Uganda Sanitation Fund in Uganda. The cases were then analysed through three online workshops facilitated with staff from the local governments, central government ministries and development partners involved to explore them in further detail, review experiences and identify levers and blockages to change. Lessons from the workshops are documented in the SLH learning brief mentioned above. This is the case study developed by Moyo District and WSSCC/Uganda Sanitation Fund documenting their experiences and reflections from working together to increase prioritisation of S&H in Moyo District, Uganda.

scholarly journals PERAN PEMERINTAH PUSAT DALAM MEMPERKUAT DESENTRALISASI: KASUS JEPANG DAN PELAJARAN UNTUK INDONESIA (THE ROLE OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IN STRENGTHENING DECENTRALIZATION: CASE STUDY OF JAPAN AND LESSONS FOR INDONESIA)

1969 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tri Widodo W. Utomo
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Incentive System ◽  
National Governments ◽  
New Framework

The role of central government in strengthening sub-national governments is unquestionably vital. Principally, the central government also determines the degree of decentralization in a country. This paper tries to explore the role of central government in Japan in promoting local development through decentralization. There are some lessons that might adopted to build decentralization in Indonesia effectively. Firstly, central government needs to reinforce its commitment to transfer more powers to local government, and to reduce its intervention over local regulations. Secondly, the new framework of decentralization should oblige central government to provide economical incentive system in order to promote competition among local governments.Keywords: decentralization, role of central government, Japan, Indonesia.Tidak diragukan lagi bahwa peran pemerintah pusat dalam memperkuat pemerintah daerah sangat penting. Tingkat desentralisasi di suatu negara sangat ditentukan terutama oleh Pemerintah Pusat. Tulisan ini mencoba untuk mengeksplorasi peran pemerintah pusat di Jepang dalam mempromosikan pembangunan daerah melalui desentralisasi. Ada beberapa pelajaran yang mungkin dapat diadopsi untuk membangun desentralisasi yang lebih efektif di Indonesia. Pertama, Pemerintah Pusat perlu memperkuat komitmennya untuk mentransfer kewenangan yang lebih besar kepada pemerintah daerah, dan mengurangi intervensi atas peraturan atau regulasi daerah. Kedua, kerangka baru desentralisasi perlu mewajibkan pemerintah pusat untuk memberikan sistem insentif ekonomi dalam rangka mempromosikan kompetisi antar pemerintah daerah.Kata Kunci : desentralisasi, peran pemerintah pusat, Jepang, Indonesia.

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