In the report launch event in Washington DC last year, we received suggestions to examine the literature of those who are skeptical or opposed to decentralization and to compile the evidence base that shows the advantages of decentralization to improved service delivery, reduced corruption and economic growth. We have organized a reference list of documents…
In the paper Decentralization and Corruption: New Cross-Country Evidence, Maksym Ivanya and Anwar Shah present empirical evidence of the impact of decentralization reforms on corruption for a sample of 158 countries. In the paper, decentralization is defined as the empowerment of local governments, (not as decision making at sub-national levels as other literature on the…
While decentralization is considered as a good way to reform the public sector in developing countries, there are opponents who argue that it has even negative or inconclusive impacts. In CESinfo DICE report 2004, the paper titled “The Impact of Decentralization on Service Delivery, Corruption, Fiscal Management and Growth in Developing and Emerging Market Economies:…
In the World Bank’s most recent report “Localizing Development: Does Participation Work?”, the authors look at participatory development and test the idea that “a more engaged citizenry should be able to achieve a higher level of cooperation and make government more accountable.” They found that participants in civic activities tend to be wealthier, more educated, of higher social…
How can ordinary people hold elected government officials accountable? In the short documentary People Power, TV Education Asia Pacific approaches accountability through participatory democracy. The film examines cases around the world where citizen participation has led to increased accountability, enhanced citizen involvement, and an amplified public voice. The cases explored serve as prime examples of a participatory…
This project is complete 