Public Sector Reform & Decentralisation

Group type: Public group

Anwar Shah/World Bank (2004) Fiscal Decentralization in Developing and Transition Economies: Progress, Problems, and the Promise

Description:

This paper discusses the transformation of public sector thinking in public sectors of developing and transition countries. Countries are reconsidering their fiscal systems and searching for the right balance between central government control and decentralized governance.

Litvack, J. and J. Seddon (eds.) (2000) Decentralisation briefing notes.

Description:

This collection of briefing notes from the World Bank Institute consists of four chapters:

Chapter one explains the cross-cutting nature of decentralisation and its rationale,

Chapter two addresses key political factors, fiscal dimensions and administrative considerations, Chapter three focuses on decentralisation in specific sectors and service delivery, and

Sharma, K.C. (n. d.) Role of traditional structures in local governance for local development: The case of Botswana

Description:

 

This paper by Prof. Keshav C. Sharma (University of Botswana), argues that traditional structures continue to play a role in local development. Involving traditional authorities and relying on their expertise can help to reduce tensions with local governments and improve local governance. 

Train4dev (2011), Harmonisation, Decentralisation, Local Governance: Guidance for Political Economy of Decentralization Analysis (Background material).

Description:

This document makes suggestions for Terms of Reference and an outline for  Political Economy of Decentralisation Analysis (PEDCA) studies.

This document has been extracted and adapted from Eaton, K. et al, (2010) “The Political Economy f Decentralization Reforms Implications for Aid Effectiveness”, World Bank, Washington D. C.

World Bank (2010) The Political Economy of Decentralization Reforms. Implications for Aid Effectiveness.

Description:

This volume presents a preliminary framework designed to help international development partners consider the relevance of political economy issues for their programmatic support to decentralization and local government reform.

World Bank (2009) Local Government Discretion and Accountability: Application of a Local Governance Framework

Description:

Decentralisation reforms have rarely bred empowered democratic local authorities. Discretion and accountability relationships depend on the political economy of each country, and historical/colonial legacies.

François Vaillancourt (2008) L’Economie Polique de la Décentralisation à Madagascar

Description:

This summary presents a synthesis of discussions that took place at a World Bank-EU workshop on decentralisation processes in Madagascar. It draws lessons from an analysis of: 1) the recent history of decentralisation, 2) the drivers of decentralisation, 3) the factors for success or failure, and 4) the trends for 2008-2015. This reflection took place when the Madagascar government was considering whether to establish a Local Development Fund for strengthening the powers and implementation capacity of the communes.

6th Annual DeLoG Meeting (May 2011) World Bank: Sub-National Monitoring and Impact Evaluation

Description:

This presentation, delivered by Kai Kaiser (World Bank) focuses on the importance of using performance monitoring systems and measuring results when implementing decentralisation reforms. The cases of the Indonesia decentralisation reform and the Bosnia-Herzegovina Municipal PFM and Service Delivery Benchmarking are also presented. 

6th Annual DeLOG Meeting (2011)World Bank: Sectoral and Decentralisation Programs, South Asia Region: It takes two to tango.

Description:

This presentation identifies the challenges of mainstreaming decentralisation across sectors.  To get decentralisation and sector experts to collaborate, the World Bank organised the South Asia Decentralisation series; this improved the visibility of decentralisation and service delivery throughout the organisation. The World Bank in South Asia is now planning to develop cross-sectoral decentralisation programmes in cooperation with local governments.