scholarly journals Territorial Policy Agenda Revised

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-236
Author(s):  
Jurga Bučaite˙-Vilke ◽  
Aiste Lazauskiene
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
Consolidation Process ◽  
Local Contact ◽  
Local Decision ◽  
Citizen Perceptions ◽  
The Relationship

This paper contributes to the ongoing debates on the relationship between municipality size and non-electoral citizen participation at the local level. We use the data from Lithuania as a case of strongly consolidated local government structures. We discuss three main points. First, our focus is on the limited question of how municipality size affects the intensity of citizens’ non-electoral participation in local decision-making, taking into account citizens’ participatory capacities, contact with municipal authorities and local agents, and municipal performance evaluations. Second, we consider the specificity of the territorial rescaling policy agenda in Lithuania, which is characterised by the long-term direction of the territorial consolidation process. Third, representative population survey data serve as a reasonable platform for testing the hypothesis on the relationship between different citizen participatory practices and municipality size. We assumed that citizen perceptions of municipal problem-solving capacities, local government accessibility, and assessment of local government performance could vary in municipalities of different size. We also expected to find significant correlation between citizen assessment of municipal performance, local government accessibility (varying by local contact activity), and citizen perception of municipal problem-solving capacities by producing statistical clusters of citizen participatory capacity types. The limitations of quantitative statistical approaches constitute a barrier to explaining the subjective perceptions of local citizens hold about their non-electoral participatory behaviour. Our conclusions demonstrate that the perceived potential of non-electoral democratic participation capacities is relatively limited in both small and large Lithuanian municipalities. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that citizens in large municipalities are more likely to establish local contact activity and have better perceptions of municipal problem-solving capacities than those in small municipalities.

scholarly journals Local-Level Accountability in a Dominant Party System

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Wegner
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Party System ◽  
Political Competition ◽  
Local Level ◽  
African National Congress ◽  
Government Performance ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Electoral Incentives ◽  
Dominant Party ◽  
The Relationship

This article investigates accountability in South Africa’s dominant party system by studying how the African National Congress (ANC) reacts to electoral incentives at the local level. It compares the ANC’s degree of responsiveness to voters across municipalities with different levels of political competition. The analysis focuses on whether and under which conditions the ANC is more likely to renominate better quality municipal councillors. It examines the relationship between renomination as ANC municipal councillor and local government performance – as measured by voter signals, service delivery and audit outcomes. The results show that the ANC does indeed adapt its behaviour to electoral incentives. In municipalities where the ANC has larger margins of victory, performance matters little for renomination. In contrast, in municipalities with higher electoral competition, local government performance is strongly correlated with renomination. These results suggest the need to expand dominant party research to topics of voter responsiveness and sub-national behaviour.

Understanding political participation in West Africa: the relationship between good governance and local citizen engagement

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 136-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Ann Krawczyk ◽  
Jennie Sweet-Cushman
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Political Participation ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression Model ◽  
Citizen Engagement

Strengthening citizen participation in West Africa is an increasingly important aspect of democratic development – especially in mitigating setbacks arising from poor governance. This article uses Round 4 Afrobarometer data to explore what stimulates local-level participation by examining determinants against the backdrop of eight West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. Using a negative binomial regression model, our results are evaluated within the framework of good governance, and show that local context, specifically relative to citizens’ perceptions of and attitudes about the performance of local government, matters when it comes to local political participation. Points for practitioners This study provides public administrators with a framework for understanding what drives local-level, non-electoral citizen participation in West Africa, and helps them understand how to increase local citizen engagement and build a more democratic society through the pursuit of good governance principles. In addition, this study highlights the critical importance of local government performance, and the role of citizens’ attitudes and evaluations, in local civic engagement.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Risk Management and Internal Audit Effectiveness at Local Government Level

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
pp. 389-396
Author(s):  
Mu’azu Saidu Badara
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Local Government Level ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Audit Effectiveness ◽  
Government Level

Risk management can play important role in ensuring objective achievement of organizations. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between risk management and internal audit effectiveness at local government level. The paper is a literature review paper and the paper concluded that risk management can influence the effectiveness of internal auditors at local level. The paper needs to be validated empirically.

scholarly journals Well-being at the Local Level

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Grimes
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Studies ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Local Decision ◽  
Local Decision Making

The Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, in partnership with Victoria University of Wellington’s Health and Wellbeing distinctiveness theme steering group, hosted a symposium on ‘The Four Wellbeings for Local Government’ on 26 February 2019. The symposium heard brief presentations from eight invitees from local government, central government, the private sector and NGOs: Justin Lester, Lyn Patterson, Karen Thomas, Peter McKinlay, Wayne Mulligan, Meg Williams, Danielle Shanahan and Suzy Morrissey. Inspired by these addresses and by the ensuing discussion, this article considers what the reintroduction of the ‘four well-beings’ into the Local Government Act might mean for local decision making.

Use and Perceptions of the Availability of Local Government and Nonprofit Services in Diverse Urban Settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 975-997
Author(s):  
Khaldoun AbouAssi ◽  
Lewis Faulk ◽  
Long Tran ◽  
Lilli Shaffer ◽  
Minjung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Administrative Data ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Government Services ◽  
Nonprofit Theory ◽  
Perceived Access ◽  
The Relationship

This analysis tests fundamental nonprofit theory using individual-level demand-side data, which complements existing studies that have relied on organizational- and community-level variables alone. We use survey and administrative data to test the relationship between individuals’ perceptions and use of local government services and their reported use of nonprofit services, controlling for the density of organizations around respondents’ addresses. Individuals who report being better served by government services are significantly more likely to report using nonprofit services—while individuals who report being unserved by government are also less likely to report access to nonprofits, despite the actual density of organizations around them. These findings support theories of interdependence between government and nonprofit sectors. However, income-based disparities in perceived access to nonprofit services highlight persistent gaps in serving all individuals on the local level.

scholarly journals Local Government Finance in Ghana: Disbursement and Utilisation of the MPs share of the District Assemblies Common Fund

2013 ◽  
pp. 90-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana Nimo Appiah-Agyekum
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Common Fund ◽  
Local Government Finance ◽  
Members Of Parliament ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
District Assemblies

The establishment of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) in 1993 and concomitant percentage set aside for Members of Parliament (MPs) in 2004 aims to support local governments and legislators in pro-poor development activities in their communities and constituencies. In spite of the importance of the MPs’ share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (MPsCF) in financing local level development in Ghana, very little is known about monitoring systems and procedures on the disbursement and utilization of the funds. The study therefore assessed qualitative data derived from interviews with officials from selected Local Government Authorities (LGAs) as well as other key stakeholders in the disbursement and utilization of the fund. The study findings point to the absence of legislative instrument on the management of the MPsCF. Further, monitoring of the fund was a responsibility shared by the LGAs and other external stakeholders. Finally, the effectiveness of monitoring the disbursement and utilization of the MPsCF was strongly influenced by the relationship between the Chief Executive of the Local Government Authority (LGCE) and MPs in the local government area.

The issue of Assessment Tax Arrears: A Case Study of the Melaka Historic City Council, Malaysia

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
Shamsinar Rahman ◽  
Hardev Kaur Latchimanan Singh ◽  
Zaliha Hussin ◽  
Zulkifli Baharuddin
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
City Council ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Tax System ◽  
Historic City ◽  
The Relationship

Objective - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between the assessment tax system and tax arrears in Melaka Historic City Council, Malacca, Malaysia. (Local Government) Methodology/Technique - Method used is quantitative method. With population sample of 484 885 residents (N=484,885) and a sample size of 384 residents (n=384), the instrument used to collect primary data is questionnaire. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Findings - With accuracy r= .141, p< .001, showed that the relationship was moderate and highly significant. This tells us that the inadequacies in the tax system are one of the contributing factors towards high assessment tax arrears in Melaka Historic City Council. Novelty - Although the issue of tax arrears in Malaysia is not a new phenomenon. However this paper specifically focuses on the issues of assessment tax at the local level, which in this case refers to the Melaka Historic City Council. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords : Assessment tax; Arrears; Local Government; Local autonomy; Malaysia.

Turns of Direct Democracy at the Local Level in Latvia

2022 ◽  
pp. 91-114
Author(s):  
Lilita Seimuskane ◽  
Maris Pukis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Direct Democracy ◽  
Local Level ◽  
National Government ◽  
Current Level ◽  
Study Participation ◽  
The Government

The chapter provides analysis of obstacles for the introduction of direct citizen participation in the decision-making process at the local self-governments in Latvia, as well as intents of national government to widen participative democracy by formalization of consultation mechanisms. Within the scope of this study, participation is seen as an interaction form of relationship between citizens and a local government. The highest form, according to Arnstein's gradation theory of a ladder of citizen participation, refers to the participation degree called partnership, delegated power, and is described by Teorell as a citizen voice in the government. Situation and perspective of local government referendums are analysed. Consultation is implemented at the level by involving the residents in the work of local government commissions and implementing public deliberations. Administrative territorial reform, performed by 2021 elections, will decrease the number of local governments to a third of their current level.

scholarly journals Polish Local Government’s Perspective on Revitalisation: A Framework for Future Socially Sustainable Solutions

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 4888
Author(s):  
Justyna Przywojska
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Local Decision ◽  
Local Decision Makers

The principal goal of this paper is to investigate the views of local government officials on revitalisation priorities in Polish municipalities. To accomplish this, the perception of revitalisation objectives by local government representatives (who, according to Polish regulations, are responsible for revitalisation planning and carrying it out) was examined. A catalogue of revitalisation objectives, which were assessed by the respondents, was drawn up on the basis of a review of research on the conceptualisation and measurement of sustainable revitalisation and social sustainability at the local level. Exploratory factor analysis was the method used in the study. In total, the list of the examined revitalisation objectives includes 26 objectives related to the following revitalisation dimensions: infrastructure, community, economy, environment, space, co-governance, and inclusion. A survey of the executive bodies of 573 municipalities in Poland revealed a discrepancy between the sustainable approach to revitalisation advocated by the researchers and the perception of revitalisation objectives by the local decision makers. The study demonstrated that decision makers ranked objectives related to the physical dimension of revitalisation and selected objectives related to the social dimension of revitalisation and oriented at counteracting social exclusion by far the highest. The proactive objectives, related to the engagement, mobilisation and integration of the inhabitants, improvement of human capital, stimulation of the local economy and residential satisfaction, were viewed as definitely less important. The challenges facing revitalisation in Poland still fail to be perceived holistically by decision makers, which may hinder the building of strong and sustainable communities.

Quantifying the relationship between predisaster mitigation spending and major disaster declarations for US states and territories

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-347
Author(s):  
Katharina Renken, PhD ◽  
Andrea M. Jackman, PhD ◽  
Mario G. Beruvides, PhD, PE
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Disaster Mitigation ◽  
Major Disaster ◽  
National Implementation ◽  
Disaster Declarations ◽  
Proactive Measures ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Relationship

Since the Stafford Act of 1988, the process of obtaining a formal Major Disaster Declaration has been codified for national implementation, with tasks defined at the smallest levels of local government up to the President. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) placed additional requirements on local government to plan for mitigation activities within their jurisdictions. The goal of DMA 2000 was to not only implement more mitigative actions at the local level, but also initiate a process by which local governments could set up ongoing conversations and collaborative efforts with neighboring jurisdictions to ensure continuous, proactive measures were taken against the impacts of disasters. Based on the increased attention paid to mitigation and planning activities, a reasonable expectation would be to see a decline in the number of major disaster declarations since DMA 2000. However, simple correlation analysis shows that since DMA 2000, the number of major disaster declarations continues to increase. This article is intended as a preliminary study to encourage more detailed analysis in the future of the impacts of federal policy on local-level disaster prevention.

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