UNIVERSITY OF JOS

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMER

PLS, NOT TO BE SOLD

COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

COURSE CODE: POL. 228

LEVEL: 200

CREDIT UNIT: 03

SEMESTER: SECOND, 2025 SESSION

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT: 40%

EXAM SCORE = 60%

TOTAL = 100%

COURSE OUTLINE

PROF. J.E. YERIMA

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE,

UNIVERSITY OF JOSs

JOS NIGERIA
1.1 COURSE OBJECTIVE

This course introduction students to the concept of local government. It commences with the

appreciation of the basic concept of local government, decentralization, the nature of local

government and theories of local government. The course further discusses both. Internal and

external source of revenue within the context of complex inter government relations (IGB) that

exist between federal, state and local government authorities.

Key issues such as politics of local government creation, LG and Rural development strategies

and LG financing are explored with a view to understanding the working of governance at the

local level etc.

The course is sub-divided into four phases:

Week I – IV the fourth and fifth week, i.e was IV and V are to be taught by professor Japhet E.

Veriman while weeks I-III, and weeks VI-XI are to be taught by other team lectures in the

department.

1.2 WEEK IV: THEORIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Sub- topics to be taught under this topic includes

i. Democratic participatory theory,

ii. The efficiency services school,

iii. Developmental school,

iv. Localist perspective/ view

v. The public choice theory

vi. State and artist theory

vii. The dual state/ politics thesis

Sub-topic to be taught under this topic includes: models of local government system

comprising

i. The English model

ii. The French model

iii. The soviet model

iv. The traditional model

1.4 MEANING OF THEORY

Before delving into the discussion of theories of local government, it is pertinent to first and

fore-most to understand what theory is all about. According to Na’anmiap (2012:97), theory

as a concept differs in meaning based on discipline, knowledge, perception or perspective

and individual is view from. He therefore define as theory as a formal set of ideas that is

intended to explain why things happen or exist, an opinion or idea that is ture but not proved.

Again, the writer is of the belief that theory is a statement that is supposed to be true but

many in fact be wrong.

Another Scholar, Kerlinger (1973:9) defines theory as a set of interrelated definitions and

propositions that presents a systematic view of a phenomena specifying relations among

variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena

In the physical world, theory is a product of science which portrays systematization,

methodism, and orderliness. To this definition, theory lays emphasis on precision and

accuracy, but rejects disorderliness and guess work.

The nature of theory lies in its explanation of observed phenomena, therefore the adequacy of

the theory is in its predictive power.

Characteristics of theory, according to our source:

i. Comprises the following: it should be straight forward;

ii. It aids an administrator in decision making

iii. It must permit interpretation and deductive reasoning;

iv. It must have wide application; and lastly

v. It must be logical and compatible (Na’anmiap, 2012).

1.5 THEORIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Theories of local government generally comes under the broader concept of what is commonly

referred to as the utility and focus theories.

According to this view, theories deal with explanations and so, it is about how to understand the

basis of LG or what LG is meant for. Secondly, it is important to know and understand what the

institution really stands for and what its priority should be. Thirdly, the understanding of theory

of LG will enable us appreciate the problems of LG as an institution.

Some scholars have argued that LGs exist essentially as a democratic institution and their duty is

to foster representative and participatory democracy at the local level. However, other scholars

feel that LGs should focus more service delivery for those tangible things communities require

Advanced Comparative Local Government National (Open University of Nigeria, 2025). The

following are the theories of local government under the utility and focus models:
1. Democratic participatory Theory

According to panther (1953), the Democratic participatory Theory of LG emphasizes citizen's

participation or involvement in local decision making in matters affecting them. According to

this view, democratic Theory prioritizes citizens participations, representation and accountability

in the decision-making process of local administration. The major aspects of the Democratic

Theory in the literature are:

 Inclusive decision making

 Citizen's engagement

 Transparency and accountability

The benefits of democratic participatory Theory includes

 Better decision making

 Community ownership, and

 Increased citizen's trust

i. Efficiency Service School

The crux of the efficiency service school is that the main purpose of local government is to

provide services to the local populace. Foremost among the advocate of this school is the French

scholar langood (1953) who opined that the theory focuses on the practical benefits of local

government is the provision of essential services to the people or community, e.g, good roads,

and essential infrastructure. According to shape (1970), the main functional responsibility of

local government are to efficiently carry out local duties allotted to it, at the highest efficiency

rate.
ii. The developmental School

The theory emphasizes the role of LG in fostering social, economic and manpower development

at the local level. This is against the Marxist Theory of economic development which is often sin

as class based exploitative and uneven development in third world countries. The development

school also AMD to mobilize local resources and implement targeted people oriented programs.

Thirdly, it is focused on assisting LDS contributes to nation building through holistic and

sustainable development at the local level (Olowh 1988)

iii. Marxist Theory

The theory analyses LG within the context of class relations and the capitalist system. Marxist

Theory put more emphasis on social relations in which economic development is shaped by

social relations and production. Another feature of Marxist economic development is class

struggle in which economic development is influenced mass struggle and resistance. There for,

the theory examines how LGS can be used to maintain the interest of The ruling Class. Sum of

the benefits of Marxist theory of LGS includes:

 Critique of equality

 Understand power dynamics in the local government system

 It gives authority of LGS the power to analyze the adverse effect of capitalism

 Local government should also put more emphasis on social justice

iv. The localist perspective/ autonomy.

The extent to which LGS have the power to make their own decision is key aspect of local

government. Localization is to enable community's around the world to diversify their economics

to provide for many of their needs. It does not necessarily mean that the should abandon trade

relationships but it is finding a more secure and sustainable balance between trade and local
production (Norberg-Hodge, 2003:24). Uphoff (2013) writes that the notion of 'local' implies the

following: 'localities such as network of communities', 'communities' and 'group'. To this scholar,

the 'local' should display a sense of collectivity. According to him, when people are connected

through a locality, they feel a greater responsibility towards each other and a mutual

understanding, as well as the ability to mobilize and manage resources. He however suggests that

for all the above to happen, dear must be strong leadership, and in some cases, institutional

backing.

v. The dual state/politics thesis

The concept was originally developed by Ernest Fraekel. It describes a political system where

two district types of state operate concurrently.

 A normative state governed by laws, and

 A prerogative state characterized by arbitrary power.

This model is particularly relevant in understanding authoritarian regimes. It highlights how the

prerogative state can limit or override the normative States functions to achieve it goes

(Saunders, 1982). The scholar argues that combining the strength and avoiding the weakness of

contemporary political science and Marxist approach is paramount. Saunders (1982) fully

appreciate that the strength of the Marxist explanation are The weakness of the traditional

pluralist approach and vice versa.

vi. The public choice Theory

Public choice Theory is an approach that applies economic principles to understand ing political

behavior and decision-making within government. It assumes that individuals, including voters,

politicians, and bureaucrats are primarily motivated by self-interest, just as the eye in market

transactions. This framework helps to analyze how constraints, shape political outcomes and
policies. Furthermore, the theory views local government as competing for citizens and

resources. Key concept of the theory include

 Tiebout model, in which citizens vote with their feet by choosing communities that

match their preferences

 Interjurisdictional dictionary competition which local government compete to attract

resident command businesses and investment.

 Fiscal federalism, where the relationship between Central and local government in

terms of funding and decision-making are made.

Public choice Theory suggest that local government:

 Should respond to citizens preferences by bird providing services and policies that

attract and retain residents.

 Should be efficient an effective: Due to competition, local government should be

given adequate incentives at all times.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus far, the course has discussed the various types of theory that pertains to the local

government system. To help student appreciate the topic, the course commenced with what is

theory first and goes on to the identified subtopics. Captioned as utility and focus theories, the

cause covered seven distinct topics in all.

All the theories on schools explored on local government appear to be extremes of the role local

government should play. Most of the advocates, especially the Democratic school are from the

societies with strong tradition of democratic system, i.e Britain and America. However, a lot of

the efficiency school is championed by French scholars with a background of strong unitary
(centralized) influences. Other scholars bear one ideological orientation or the other, whether

developed or developing countries.

These arguments look attractive. The point however is that one argument needs the other. Even

some third world countries have looked at democracy and local government reforms as a luxury

and an expensive venture. They say, developing countries need money to carry out services, not

paying allowances and entitlement of local politicians. At the same time representative

government which is the hallmark of democracy is not a luxury because various interests within

the community have to be represented in government and their views articulated. Policies and

programs will have to be well debated before they are approved and implemented. Popular

participation has to be mobilized. All the theories therefore need each other. In developing

societies, people are in hurry to develop, but priorities must be set right and people's interest

must be carried along. For example the developmental school, the localist perspective or

autonomy and the public choice Theory are all peculiar to developing nations.

The questions as moddixk (1963) puts it is "the clash between efficiency and popular control".

How much of democracy is needed, to provide efficient services, at the local level? How much

of Marxist? How much of dual state politics? How much level of development? etc. the

argument is need in society for civic consciousness and political maturity if programs for both

the locality and the state are to be carried out adequately with enthusiasm, and in fact without the

outbreak of violence. The spread of political maturity should bring with it thorough political

participation and responsive government which translates needs into politics, which can harness

local energies, because it is a popular government, and which is acceptable by periodically

having to show results for its activities.

Akpan, P.C. (1984) Modern Local Government Administration in Nigeria (unpublished: 1984,
ch.1).

Barber, H. (1974). Local Government (3rd ed.). Macdonald & Evans Ltd.

Maddick, H.A (1963). Democracy, Decentralization and Development. Bombay: Asia Publishing
House.

Na'anmiap, M.R. (2012). Public Administration: Nature, Theories & Applications. Jos Dok
Quality printing and publishing.

Norberg-Hodge, (2003). The localist View of Local Government in Olowu, O. (1988). Nature of
Local Government

Uphoof, D. (2013).; Structure of Local Government Throughout the World. The Hague.

Saunders, H. (1982). British Government and Politics London: Heinmann press

Panther, F. (1953). Democracy and Local Government are Demonstration. Houghton: Mifflin
Company.

Longoon, J. T. (1953). Comparative Public Administration. The Search for Theories. New
Jersey: Chatham House Publisher.

Sharp, G. (1970). Allen & Unwind. Democracy Theories and Lsocal Government