Rural Decentralization and Local Governance

Unbundling secure property rights

Sjِstedt, Martin | 2009
  • Author(s): Sjِstedt, Martin
  • Publisher: University of Gothenburg. Department of political science. Quality of goverment (QoG) institute
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: property rights, governance, public administration, land titles
This paper argues that security of citizen land rights does not stem from any particular form or type of tenure, but depends critically on credible commitment by the government in an invest-protect game of interaction between the rulers and the ruled.

What makes local government work? : social capital, leadership, participation and ownership in Benin

Slootweg, Sef and Groen, Jolanda and Llopart, Xavier | 2007
  • Author(s): Slootweg, Sef and Groen, Jolanda and Llopart, Xavier
  • Publisher: SNV Netherlands development organisation
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: local government, decentralization in government, accountability, popular participation, health services, education, economic development, capacity building, municipal government, basic services, benin
In 2006, the impact of capacity development programmes on the performance of participative local government in 20 municipalities in southern Benin was assessed in terms of improvements to the economy, health and education, and livelihoods.

Improving school governance through participative democracy and the law

Smit, Marius H. and Oosthuizen, Izak J. | cop. 2011
  • Author(s): Smit, Marius H. and Oosthuizen, Izak J.
  • Publisher: Education association of South Africa (EASA)
  • Pages: 55--73
  • Keywords: governance, education, popular participation, south africa
This paper argues that the crisis presently experienced in the education system of South Africa is partly attributable to misconceptions of democracy, misapplications of legal and democratic principles, and systemic weaknesses in traditional models of democracy.

Decentralisation and rural development : the role of the public and private sector in the provision of agricultural support services

Smith, Lawrence D. | [1998]
  • Author(s): Smith, Lawrence D.
  • Publisher: [Food and agriculture organization of the United nations] (FAO) [etc.]
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: decentralization in government, rural development, agricultural extension, private sector, economic development, local government, enterprise development, economic growth
This report looks at several ways that local government could provide an enabling environment for the private sector. This requires an appreciation that a vibrant private sector can increase the productivity of the local economy and hence increase the long-term viability of local government.

Are ward committees working? : insights from six case studies

Smith, Terence and De Visser, Jaap | cop. 2009
  • Author(s): Smith, Terence and De Visser, Jaap
  • Publisher: University of the Western Cape. Community law centre
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: decentralization in government, local government, popular participation, governance, civil society, guidelines, south africa
The functioning and value of ward committees in South Africa are examined. The key reasons behind the malfunctioning of the majority of ward committees are described. Lessons are drawn and best practices are identified.
 

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