Foundations For Local Governance

Successful reforms need coherent approaches in which a range of stakeholders are willing to share responsibilities and resources in order to achieve the ultimate outcome of poverty reduction in developing countries. This book provides a framework to access intended outcomes generated by decentralization measures implemented in Asian and African countries. It is based on comparative analyses of different experiences of decentralization measures in six developing countries.

In Foundations of Governance, experts from each of Canada's provinces come together to assess the extent to which municipal governments have the capacity to act autonomously, purposefully, and collaboratively in the intergovernmental arena.

Successful reforms need coherent approaches in which a range of stakeholders are willing to share responsibilities and resources in order to achieve the ultimate outcome of poverty reduction in developing countries. This book provides a framework to access intended outcomes generated by decentralization measures implemented in Asian and African countries. It is based on comparative analyses of different experiences of decentralization measures in six developing countries.

Modernising Local Government and Neighbourhood Management are policy initiatives which are seeking to reinvigorate local democracy and ensure that government is more responsive to local needs. They could mark profound changes in the way our communities are governed. But, what are the practical implications? Drawing upon research findings of current practice and the authors' direct experience, this report addresses the following questions: what is the relationship between the modernization of government project, the reforms to local government and area-based initiatives?; what needs to be done to ensure that these emerging relationships are brought together in a clear and coherent manner at national, regional and local levels?; how do we define the local community and what are the issues surrounding its representation in emerging government structures?; and what political and practical problems do these devolved apparoaches pose for traditional local government structures?

Local government can be defined as a public entity acting as the sub-unit of a state or of a region, charged with the task of enforcing public policies. There have been many reforms of local government in recent years from the grassroots-led movement that took root in the 90’s to the overarching effects of globalization and decentralization. Local governments must adapt their practices in order to most effectively provide for their constituents. Theoretical Foundations and Discussions on the Reformation Process in Local Government addresses the effects of recent reforms in the political-administrative system of local governments and politics as well as future outlooks. It reviews the challenges, innovations, and lessons from local governments while providing theoretical perspectives on methods for positive reform. This book is a critical reference source for policy makers, government organizations, professionals, and actors in both local and international politics.

This book explores the value of funding local initiatives that are designed to support development activities and promote local democracy. Reviewing experiences from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, it demonstrates how local funds can deliver development within the context of a rights-based approach and democratic decentralization.

Based on extensive research and interviews (over 300 in total) with local decision makers in two pairs of cities in England and France: Lille and Leeds; Rennes and Southampton, this book is an invaluable resource for students and professionals