Decentralization and Governance : Does Decentralization Improve Public Service Delivery?

Decentralization holds a lot of promise, but whether it improves public service delivery depends on the institutional arrangements governing its implementation. Several conditions must be met before the full benefits of decentralization can be reaped. First, for decentralization to increase allocative and productive efficiency, local governments need to have the authority to respond to local demand as well as adequate mechanisms for accountability. Because granting authority without accountability can lead to corruption and lower productive efficiency, decentralization needs to be accompanied by reforms that increase the transparency and accountability of local government. Second, functions need to be devolved to a low enough level of government for allocative efficiency to increase as a result of decentralization. Low-level governments are likely to be aware of local preferences and, if able to do so, are likely to adjust service delivery accordingly. Third, citizens should have channels to communicate their preferences and get their voices heard in local governments. But the existence of such channels is not enough. To effectively influence public policies and oversee local governments, citizens need to have information about government policies and activities. The media play a crucial role in this area.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Kahkonen, Satu, Lanyi, Anthony
Language:	English
Published:	World Bank, Washington, DC 2001-06
Subjects:	ACCOUNTABILITY, AUDITS, AUTHORITY, BUREAUCRACY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CONTROL, CITIES, CITIZEN, CITIZENS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, CONSTITUTION, CORRUPTION, DECENTRALIZATION, DEVOLUTION, DISTRICTS, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, HEALTH SPENDING, INFORMAL SECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT, INSTITUTIONAL REFORM, LAWS, LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY, LOCAL AUTONOMY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, LOCAL LEVELS, MACROECONOMICS, MIGRATION, MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS, MUNICIPALITIES, NATIONAL ELECTIONS, POLICY IMPLICATIONS, POLITICAL AUTHORITY, PRESIDENCY, PUBLIC GOODS, PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH CARE, PUBLIC SECTOR, PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE, PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY, PUBLIC SERVICES, RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS, ROADS, SUBNATIONAL GOVERNMENTS, TAX, TAX REVENUE, TRANSPARENCY, VOTING, WATER SUPPLY DECENTRALIZATION IN GOVERNMENT, GOVERNANCE, ALLOCATIVE EFFICIENCY, INFORMATION GAPS,
Online Access:	http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2001/06/2011701/decentralization-governance-decentralization-improve-public-service-delivery https://hdl.handle.net/10986/11382
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