Rural Decentralization and Local Governance

Authority over forests : empowerment and subordination in Senegal's democratic decentralization

Ribot, Jesse C. | 2009
  • Author(s): Ribot, Jesse C.
  • Publisher:
  • Pages: 105--129
  • Keywords: legitimacy of governments, community participation, democracy, corrupt practices, public administration, forest management, decentralization in government, senegal
Despite progressive new laws that transfer forest rights to rural councils, the Forest Service in Senegal continue to allocate access to lucrative forest opportunities to charcoal merchants. As a result, the councils cannot represent their populations and therefore cannot gain legitimacy.

Analysis of Senegal's draft forestry code : with special attention to its support for decentralization laws

Ribot, Jesse C. | 2009
  • Author(s): Ribot, Jesse C.
  • Publisher: United States agency for international development (USAID)
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: decision-making, legislation, forest management, decentralization in government, senegal
The effects of the Senegal’s Draft Forestry Code of 2009 on decentralization in the forestry sector is analysed. The analysis examines who is gaining what decision-making powers through this proposed reform in comparison with the previous code still in force.

Authority over forests : negotiating democratic decentralization in Senegal

Ribot, Jesse C. | 2008
  • Author(s): Ribot, Jesse C.
  • Publisher: World resources institute. Institutions and governance program
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: public administration, elite, decision-making, community organization, legislation, decentralization in government, senegal
This article tells the story of a local council man’s signing of the order to open his rural community’s forests to exploitation by charcoal merchants in Nambaradougou, Senegal. In spite of new legislation, ‘decentralized’ powers remain in the hands of a few merchants and the Forest Service.

Building local democracy through natural resource interventions : an environmentalist’s responsibility : a policy brief

Ribot, Jesse C. | 2008
  • Author(s): Ribot, Jesse C.
  • Publisher: World resources institute (WRI)
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: decentralization in government, popular participation, environmental policy, democracy, benin, brazil, india, indonesia, malawi, senegal, china
This policy brief provides natural resource policy-makers and practitioners with an approach for evaluating how their policies and projects can support the emergence and consolidation of local democracy. Includes case studies from Benin, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malawi, Senegal.

Representation, citizenship and the public domain in democratic decentralization

Ribot, Jesse C. | 2007
  • Author(s): Ribot, Jesse C.
  • Publisher: Bonn international center for conversion (BICC)
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: decentralization in government, local government, democracy, governance, empowerment
The effects of ‘democratic’ decentralization reforms are analysed. In most developing countries, rather than empowering representative elected local government, reforms have often resulted in a transfer of power to private bodies, customary authorities and non-governmental organizations.
 

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This information portal provides access to selected free, full-text electronic documents on Rural Decentralization and Local Governance.