1.
Decentralization:
1.1 Definitions
Decentralization refers to the distribution of authority, responsibility, and financial resources
away from a central authority to local or regional levels of government or organizations. It can
take different forms, including political decentralization (which empowers local governments),
administrative decentralization (which involves transferring decision-making authority), and
fiscal decentralization (which entails the allocation of financial resources).
1.2 Advantages
1. Enhanced Local Governance: Local governments are more attuned to the needs and
preferences of their communities, leading to more relevant and responsive public services.
2. Increased Accountability: Closer proximity of government to citizens can enhance
accountability, as local officials are more easily accessible and their actions more visible.
3. Encouragement of Participation: Decentralization can foster greater citizen participation in
governance, empowering communities to engage in decision-making processes.
4. Efficiency in Service Delivery: Local governments may be more efficient in service provision
due to knowledge of local conditions and the possibility of tailored solutions.
5.Resource Allocation: Local governments can allocate resources based on local priorities,
potentially leading to more effective public service delivery.
6.Innovation and Flexibility: Decentralized structures can adapt more readily to changes in the
environment or community needs.
1.3 Disadvantages
1. Inequality in Resource Distribution: Decentralization may lead to disparities in service quality
if wealthier regions can generate more resources than poorer ones.
2. Capacity Issues: Local governments may lack the capacity, expertise, or resources required to
effectively manage decentralized functions, resulting in poor service delivery.
3. Potential for Corruption: Local authorities may be more susceptible to corruption or
mismanagement due to reduced oversight and limited checks and balances.
4. Coordination Challenges: Decentralization can create challenges in coordinating policies and
services across different levels of government, leading to fragmentation and inefficiency.
5. Resistance to Change: Established central authorities may resist the shift towards
decentralization, limiting the effectiveness of reforms.
1.4 It's Implications for Public Service Delivery
1. Tailored Services: Decentralization allows for services to be tailored to the specific needs and
preferences of local populations, which can significantly improve the relevance and quality of
public services.
2. Improved Local Participation: Local engagement in decision-making can lead to increased
satisfaction with services and better alignment with community priorities.
3. Capacity Building Needs: For decentralization to be effective in service delivery, there is often
a need for substantial capacity building at the local level, including training and resource
allocation.
4. Equity Concerns: Policymakers need to address issues of equity in service delivery to ensure
that marginalized or underserved communities receive adequate services, regardless of their
local government’s capacity.
5.Challenges in Quality Control**: Variability in service quality may arise due to differences in
capacity and resources among local governments, potentially leading to inequitable service
delivery.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation: A strong framework for monitoring and evaluating local services
essential to ensure accountability and to adapt policies as needed based on local government
performance
Reference
Barbara Levick, Claudius, Psychology Press, 2012, p. 81 Archived 2016-06-02 at the Wayback
Machine, ISBN 978-0415166195
Vivien A. Schmidt, Democratizing France: The Political and Administrative History of
Decentralization, p. 10 Archived 2016-05-20 at the Wayback Machine.
Robert Leroux, French Liberalism in the 19th Century: An Anthology, Chapter 6: Maurice Block
on "Decentralization", Routledge, 2012, p. 255 Archived 2016-05-29 at the Wayback Machine,
ISBN 978-1136313011
A History of Decentralization Archived 2013-05-11 at the Wayback Machine, Earth Institute of
Columbia University website, accessed February 4, 2013.
