Research Reports
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…