Rural Decentralization and Local Governance

Empowering the poor : local governance for poverty reduction

Bonfiglioli, Angelo | 2003
  • Author(s): Bonfiglioli, Angelo
  • Publisher: United nations capital development fund (UNCDF)
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: local government, poverty alleviation, development assistance, development projects, empowerment, popular participation, decentralization in government
The basic conceptual dimensions of poverty and local governance are analysed and the key characteristics of the UNCDF framework for local development are outlined. Generally, a greater involvement of local populations in decision-making will help reduce poverty.

How not to decentralise : accountability and representation in health boards in Tanzania

Boon, Suzan | 2007
  • Author(s): Boon, Suzan
  • Publisher: SNV Netherlands development organisation
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: health care delivery, health services, accountability, public services, local government, decentralization in government, governance, public administration, tanzania
This paper investigates issues of representation of and accountability to users of public services in local management structures. The study challenges the assumption that user representation in health governance structures helps to make services better adjusted to their needs.

Development as a collective action problem : addressing the real challenges of African governance : synthesis report

Booth, David | 2012
  • Author(s): Booth, David
  • Publisher: Overseas development institute (ODI). Africa power and politics programme (APPP) [etc.]
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: development strategies, development assistance, accountability, governance, popular participation, development policy, decentralization in government, niger, mali, ghana
Experiences with local justice in Ghana and education reform in the Sahel show that development is best seen as a multi-layered collective action problem. Development assistance should be designed so as to support local problem-solving and adapting state programmes to local values and preferences.

Governance for development in Africa : building on what works

Booth, David | 2011
  • Author(s): Booth, David
  • Publisher: Overseas development institute (ODI). Africa power and politics programme (APPP)
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: governance, development assistance, development strategies, institution building, africa south of sahara
Part of the African failure in governance may be due to the application of a ‘good governance agenda’ that is ideological rather than evidence-based. The Africa Power and Politics Programme argues that it is time for more realistic and effective ways to approach institutional change in Africa.

Towards a theory of local governance and public goods' provision in sub-Saharan Africa

Booth, David | 2010
  • Author(s): Booth, David
  • Publisher: Overseas development institute (ODI). Africa power and politics programme (APPP)
  • Pages: --
  • Keywords: public services, local government, governance, africa south of sahara
This working paper under the Africa Power and Politics Programme (APPP) provides a mid-term report on a multi-country research effort to shed light on the institutional sources of variation in public goods’ provision at the sub-national level.
 

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