Understanding decentralization: theory, evidence and method, with a focus on least-developed countries

Faguet, Jean-Paul ORCID: 0000-0002-7188-0098 (2021) Understanding decentralization: theory, evidence and method, with a focus on least-developed countries. Working paper (21-203). International Development, LSE, London, UK.

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Abstract

What is decentralization, what is its underpinning rationale, and why might it matter for leastdeveloped countries? This chapter has two goals: (i) to distill the enormous academic and policy literature on international experiences of decentralization into clear empirical conclusions; and (ii) to derive policy lessons relevant to least-developed countries. It first reviews the different definitions of decentralization employed in the literature before proposing one best suited to countries with the lowest levels of development. It reviews the most important theoretical arguments in favour of decentralization in low-income nations with low levels of human development that are often ethnically and religiously diverse. It then reviews empirical evidence on decentralization's ability to overcome some of the key obstacles holding back such countries’ development, before concluding with key questions still to be answered, for which additional research is required.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Official URL:	http://www.lse.ac.uk/international-development/res...
Additional Information:	© 2020 The Author
Divisions:	International Development
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HJ Public Finance H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
JEL classification:	H - Public Economics > H4 - Publicly Provided Goods > H41 - Public Goods H - Public Economics > H7 - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations > H75 - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare H - Public Economics > H7 - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations > H77 - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism; Secession
Date Deposited:	11 Jan 2021 09:39
Last Modified:	01 Apr 2024 07:59
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/108214

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