Limits to Local Democracy: The Politics of Urban Governance Transformations in Cape Town
Is a decentralized government more effective and accountable than a state centred public administration? This publication provides the reader with a new way of understanding modern urban governance from a South African perspective. The question of how to create political legitimacy is in focus and this publication is therefore a good source for understanding the…
Governance Dilemmas of Sustainable Cities
New problems have emerged in a global context through the existence of major urban areas – how do these areas manage to combine sustainable city planning with decentralization and/or participatory local democracy? For researchers, public administration professionals and development practitioners alike this is a must read as a tool for creating sustainable solutions for urban…
The 2016 local government elections: The point where South Africa changed course?
In August 2016, local government elections were held in South Africa, something that is of direct relevance to many of ICLD’s partners. Dr Andrew Siddle has analyzed the elections on behalf of the ICLD. The elections have been described as “the point at which South Africa changed course,” but it remains to be seen just…
Local government in South Africa: Can the objectives of the developmental state be achieved through the current model of decentralized governance?
Under the new constitutional dispensation, South African Local government was given a critical developmental role to play in rebuilding local communities and environments, as the basis for a democratic, integrated, prosperous and non-racial society. This study examines the notions of decentralization and developmentalism, and shows how they have become two of the most significant defining…
The Politics of Pseudoactions – Local Governance and Gender Policy Implementation in the Western Balkans
Successful implementation is often pointed out as a missing prerequisite in the attainment of gender equality goals. Only rarely, however, are gender policy implementation processes subjected to systematic study. This paper analyses the local-level implementation of national gender equality policies in three countries of the Western Balkans region (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia), examining the…
Devolution, Democracy and Development in Kenya
In this study, Cornell and D’Arcy explore to what extent devolution has changed Kenyan politics – what progress has been made and what challenges still remain? Although the devolution is in many ways successful and much progress has been made already, the authors highlight a number of critical areas in need of further attention. First,…
Gendering Decentralization in Cambodia
Cambodia’s democratic decentralization reform is commonly regarded as the most deep-cutting public sector reform and the politically most significant democratic development in Cambodia since 1993. The reform rearranges power structures, creates space for a more pluralistic political representation, addresses gender equality in local politics, and triggers articulation of new political views. However, the reforms continue…
Mapping Spaces for democratic participation in South Aceh, Indonesia
This report by Leena Avonius, Olle Törnquist and Fadhli Ali is the third report to be published in ICLD’s Research Report series. Avonius et al examines to what extent democratic local governance reforms have become effective and visible in the South Aceh district in Indonesia. The study seeks to answer if, and to what extent,…
When Local Government Strikes it Rich
Elected local councils all across the developing world have long suffered from insufficient funding which deeply undermines their capacity to take constructive action. Local councils in most of India’s 28 states have long faced this problem. This is a study, based on extensive field research, of a major new anti-poverty program in India – the…
Farce of the Commons: Humor, Irony, and Subordination through a Camera’s Lens
This report by Jesse Ribot is the second one to be published in ICLD’s Research Report series. Ribot argues convincingly that local democracy has a material basis and thus stresses the need for local governments to have both decision making powers and adequate funds to respond to local people’s needs. This report emerged from the…