Local Level Decentralization in Ethiopia: Case Study of Tigray Regional State

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-126
Author(s):  
Assefa Fiseha
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Institutional Arrangement ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Political Elite ◽  
Regional State ◽  
Formal Level

AbstractBased on the literature on decentralization, this article investigates the institutional arrangement and autonomy of local governments in Tigray Regional state. It is based on two rounds of field work covering nine districts. At a formal level, local governments are autonomous units with some defined mandates including power to decide on policy issues. In reality however, local governments in the study area act more as deconcentrated than as autonomous units since their autonomy is curtailed by higher level governments and party structures. Local governments are thus extension arms of the regional state with little autonomy of their own. Institutions such as elected councils, mayors and the executive exist at the local level but there is more vertical than horizontal accountability. As a result, local Councils have not been able to ensure accountability. Thus decentralization has not resulted in popular control of local governance and local-level development as interests of the party and the local political elite prevail over popular interests. The article calls for rethinking the design of local government that would constitute a local government deal that shifts decision-making away from higher level institutions to the local level, constituting multi-stake holders having control over the affairs of local government.

scholarly journals Local Government Response to COVID-19: Revitalizing Local Democracy in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 701-712
Author(s):  
A.N.M. Zakir Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Local Democracy ◽  
Google Docs

The study aims to identify the role of local government and its transformation in response to the COVID-19. It also shows how local governments extended the scope of accountability and transparency to strengthen democracy. The study followed the social survey method and collected data online through Google Docs form. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics to generate expected results and test the hypothesis by the Spearman correlation coefficient. The study found local governments were positive during COVID-19 to provide services and offered more public engagement in policy formulation, thus more democratic. The health sector has shown the highest priority, with food and environmental services. Inefficient management capacity of leaders and apathy in public engagement hamper resource mobilization at the local level. During COVID-19, ICT intervention and innovation for digital transformation in local governance increased accountability and transparency through easy and effective participation of mass people to strengthen local democracy to respond effectively against COVID-19.

scholarly journals Clientelism, Partyarchy and Democratic Backsliding: A Case Study of Local Government Elections in Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-91
Author(s):  
Abu Elias Sarker ◽  
Faraha Nawaz
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Democratic Governance ◽  
The Political ◽  
Institutional Environments ◽  
Effective Role ◽  
Grassroots Level

In a developing country like Bangladesh, the devolved local government system is widely recognized as one of the key institutional forms for the citizen-centric public service delivery system and ensuring democratic governance at the grassroots level. However, the democratic nature of local governments and their effective role in rendering services are contingent upon the political and institutional environments of the country. Competitive electoral process is key to local democratic governance. The purpose of this article is to analyze the implications of contemporary political order and institutional environments for the proper functioning of the Union Parishad (council), the lowest tier of the local government system in Bangladesh. More specifically, this study will reflect on how political clientelism, partyarchy and institutional environments have stymied competitive electoral politics at the local level which may result in democratic backsliding.

scholarly journals Problems and Prospects of Local Judicial Committee in Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 124-141
Author(s):  
Krishna Prasad Timilsina
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Local Leadership ◽  
Judicial Practice ◽  
Content Analysis Method

Decentralization and local governance is the base of grassroot democracy, giving strong foundation of democracy at nation. Local governments are the closest unit of people. Constitution of Nepal acknowledges that executive legislative and judicial bodies may be formed at the local level. Constitution provides to consolidate socialism-oriented federal democratic republic governance right from the local level as per the principle of the rule of law and sustainable development through proportionally inclusive and just distribution of the fruits of democracy, and to make necessary provisions in relation to the operation of the local government to institutionalize the legislative, executive and judicial practice at the local level by consolidating local government through development of local leadership. This article aims at examining current provision of judicial power in local government of Nepal, its service delivery status, analyzing challenges of justice delivery. To draw the conclusion in this study descriptive analytical and content analysis method has been used and information has been taken from secondary method.

scholarly journals Transformation from Below in Bangladesh: Decentralization, local governance, and systemic change

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 1668-1694 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEAN-PAUL FAGUET
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Joint Product ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Government Responsiveness

AbstractI examine decentralization through the lens of the local dynamics it unleashed in Bangladesh. I argue that the national effects of decentralization are largely the sum of its local-level effects. Hence, to understand decentralization, we must first understand how local government works. This implies analysing not only decentralization, but also democracy, from the bottom up. I present a model of local government responsiveness as the product of political openness and substantive competition. The quality of politics, in turn, emerges endogenously as a joint product of the lobbying and political engagement of local firms/interests, and the organizational density and ability of civil society. I then test these ideas using qualitative data from Bangladesh. The evidence shows that civic organizations worked with non-governmental organizations and local governments to effect transformative change from the grass roots upwards—not just to public budgets and outputs, but to the underlying behaviours and ideas that underpin social development. In the aggregate, these effects were powerful. The result, key development indicators show, is Bangladesh leap-frogging past much wealthier India between 1990 and 2015.

Uniformity in Local Government System and the Governance Model in Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okey Marcellus Ikeanyibe
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
State Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Local Networks ◽  
Governance Model

This paper examines the conceptual contradiction between a nationally uniform local government system as constitutionally provided in Nigeria, and, the principles of governance model that is presently believed to advance the course of service delivery in government. The paper argues that the straitjacketed constitutional provisions that require every state government to establish a patterned, uniform local government system, is conflict-generating, opposed to effective management and harnessing of local differences in a highly differentiated country like Nigeria, and averse to the multi-jurisdictional principle advocated by the proponents of the governance model. The focus of the paper therefore, is to investigate the extent the prescribed uniform system of local government hinders the application of the governance model that could advance the course of service delivery at the local level. The author suggests that contrary to the constitutional provisions on the nature of local government, which autonomy is not strongly protected by the constitution, the state governments should be allowed to determine the nature and structure of local governments in their domain to reduce the abuse of the local government system and entrench competitive local government practice. This will advance the greater use of local networks in local governance.

scholarly journals New Face of Local Government: Synergy of Handling the Spread of Covid-19 Between Local Governments and Indigenous Villages in Bali

2020 ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
I Putu Dharmanu Yudartha
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Economic Aspect ◽  
The Political ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Political Dimension ◽  
Government Governance ◽  
New Perspective

Province Bali province seeks to build synergy in addressing the spread of covid-19 with the involvement of indigenous villages. This is certainly a big question about its effectiveness and provides a new perspective in government governance at the local level. The purpose of this research is to analyze the dimensions of synergy between local governments and indigenous villages in Bali Province and their impact on the handling of covid-19 in Bali. The results showed that the cultural and social dimensions were able to position the indigenous village into an important pillar in the pattern of governance in Bali. Through the policy of the scope of indigenous villages (such as awig-awig and perarem) and pecalang as a security party in the scope of indigenous villages are able to synergize with local governments, especially in overseeing the implementation of health protocols. The synergistic with good local governance concept, such as : dimension of the economic aspect shows that through indigenous village funds, the local government provides the same space for indigenous villages involved in the handling of covid-19. The political dimension related to synergy is further strengthening the commitment of the Governor of Bali to reposition the indigenous village as part of governance in Bali. The synergistic impact is to provide great space for various parties, especially indigenous villages in the participation of each policy in the region. This synergy also relieves the free local government in its handling of covid-19.

Culture Wars and City Politics, Revisited: Local Councils and the Australia Day Controversy

2020 ◽  
pp. 107808742094503
Author(s):  
Rachel Busbridge ◽  
Mark Chou
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Urban Politics ◽  
Local Politics ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Culture Wars ◽  
Culture War ◽  
Contemporary Culture ◽  
Politically Active

Conflicts rooted in questions of morality and values—so-called “culture wars”—pose difficult questions for local governance. Yet, when it comes to culture wars, local governments can be as politically active as other levels of government. This article explores the role of local government in the culture war surrounding Australia’s national holiday, Australia Day. We draw on the pioneering work of Elaine Sharp on urban politics, culture wars, and local government to document and analyze how Australian local governments have responded to the Australia Day controversy. Whereas Sharp’s typology is instructive, the ways in which the Australia Day debate has played out at the local level necessitate additional categories of responsiveness. These additional categories may contribute to the broader rejuvenation of studies on culture wars and local politics in light of new fronts in contemporary culture wars and the changing face of local government.

The Nexus of State and Local Capacity in Vertical Policy Diffusion

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junghack Kim ◽  
Bruce D. McDonald ◽  
Jooho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Policy Diffusion ◽  
Institutional Autonomy ◽  
Vertical Diffusion ◽  
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ◽  
Accounting Principles ◽  
State And Local

This article examines the vertical diffusion of a policy between a state and its local governments. Although policy diffusion typically relies upon multiple mechanisms, diffusion between a state and its local governments relies primarily on coercion. Using a case study of state-mandated adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), we show that the coercion mechanism is dependent upon the capacity of the state and local governments to adopt and implement a policy, as well as the discretion available to a local government. Utilizing data from all 50 states as of 2008, our findings show that the vertical diffusion of a policy is reliant on a state’s fiscal capacity and the personnel capacity of the local government. We also found that strong institutional autonomy at the local level leads a state to adopt a GAAP mandate.

scholarly journals The Prospect of Accountability in Local Governance in Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hari P. Dhungana
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Government Accountability ◽  
Local Planning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
The Government

Government accountability is intrinsic to democracies, as citizens can choose public officials through their popular vote and accordingly exercise some control and oversight over the officials. But elections held in periodic intervals do not allow the scrutiny of the decisions and activities that are conducted on a daily basis. This article examines how to confront this challenge of holding the governments to account, by looking into local governance in Nepal, where citizens have limited knowledge of the government decisions, activities, procedures followed, and their outcomes. This article is developed from the review of policies and laws and semi-structured interviews with elected leaders, civil service personnel, and other stakeholders in select local governments in Nepal. It argues that accountability in local government requires attention not only to laws, but also the practices of civic interaction and the willingness of elected officials and citizens in these engagements. It starts by establishing how the country’s new Constitution of Nepal (2015) espouses a local social contract in view of its division of jurisdictions. It then identifies and analyses the main approaches and tools on government accountability. These encompass broad constitutional provisions to specific legal, institutional and technocratic measures to hold officials to account. It then reveals recent local level experiences around the use of accountability tools and shows that the legacy of widespread collusion and misuse of power continues to be a bottleneck. It concludes that there is a need to foster greater civic demands on accountability and foster measures for deliberation at the municipal level on a more regular basis. Overall, local government accountability should be envisioned as a work-in-progress pursuit and should be coupled with systems of local planning and implementation and vitalization of local democracy.

scholarly journals Participatory monitoring and evaluation in local government: a case study of Lambussie District, Ghana

2021 ◽  
pp. 40-55
Author(s):  
Bernard Afiik Akanpabadai Akanbang ◽  
Anass Ibn Abdallah
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Participatory Monitoring ◽  
Local Government Level ◽  
District Assemblies

Ghana has pursued decentralisation since 1988, but its implementation continues to face challenges. Participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) is one of the tools that can help local governments to be more effective in the planning and management of development projects. However, the issues involved in implementing PM&E in rural local governments operating within a rapidly changing sociocultural and political environment have not been sufficiently explored. To fill this gap in knowledge, this paper draws on project and policy documents and primary data on the application of PM&E in District Assemblies’ Common Fund projects implemented between 2013 and 2017 in Ghana’s Lambussie District. Six key informant interviews were held with district- and regional-level stakeholders, and eight focus group discussions were undertaken at the community level. The research found that inadequate provision for operationalising PM&E at the local level, and lack of accountability and feedback mechanisms, resulted in a tokenistic approach to PM&E. The authors suggest that research and advocacy on mechanisms for holding district authorities accountable is vital to the success of future PM&E initiatives at local government level.

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