Deepening decentralization in Zambia: Political economy constraints and opportunities for reform

Deepening decentralization in Zambia: Political economy constraints and opportunities for reform PDF Author: Resnick, Danielle
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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Book Description
Since the early 2000s, decentralization has been espoused as a major policy goal of successive Zambian governments. With the passing of the 2019 Local Government Act, a greater understanding is needed of how decentralization has progressed thus far in Zambia and how political economy dynamics have constrained the process. As such, a survey was conducted with 153 bureaucrats across 16 councils in four Zambian provinces, complemented by interviews with elected ward councilors. Three key findings emerge. First, the organizational setting in which councils operate undermines the continuity of service provision. In particular, transfers of staff by the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), partially driven by the growth in the number of councils in recent years, increases pressure on the wage bill of local authorities, creates uncertainty for civil servants, and undermines institutional memory. Second, the unwillingness to cede genuine autonomy to local councils by the Ministry of Local Government (MLG) repeatedly emerged. A perception of low levels of consultation with council bureaucrats and elected councilors, especially when statutory instruments are issued, reinforce that accountability remains upwards to the MLG rather than downwards to citizens. Third, within the councils, there is a mismatch in incentives between the bureaucrats and politicians that can undermine policy implementation; while the former respect authority and attention to procedures, the latter are focused on constituents’ priorities and may bypass formal procedures to deliver to their voters. Based on interviews with market committees and solid waste companies, these dynamics have negative externalities on citizen perceptions and service provision in urban areas. As one of the few analyses conducted with local bureaucrats to assess their experiences with decentralization, the study aims to advance both policy and scholarship about the political economy dynamics surrounding efforts to strengthen subnational capabilities in developing countries.

Deepening decentralization in Zambia: Political economy constraints and opportunities for reform

Deepening decentralization in Zambia: Political economy constraints and opportunities for reform PDF Author: Resnick, Danielle
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 48

Get Book Here

Book Description
Since the early 2000s, decentralization has been espoused as a major policy goal of successive Zambian governments. With the passing of the 2019 Local Government Act, a greater understanding is needed of how decentralization has progressed thus far in Zambia and how political economy dynamics have constrained the process. As such, a survey was conducted with 153 bureaucrats across 16 councils in four Zambian provinces, complemented by interviews with elected ward councilors. Three key findings emerge. First, the organizational setting in which councils operate undermines the continuity of service provision. In particular, transfers of staff by the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), partially driven by the growth in the number of councils in recent years, increases pressure on the wage bill of local authorities, creates uncertainty for civil servants, and undermines institutional memory. Second, the unwillingness to cede genuine autonomy to local councils by the Ministry of Local Government (MLG) repeatedly emerged. A perception of low levels of consultation with council bureaucrats and elected councilors, especially when statutory instruments are issued, reinforce that accountability remains upwards to the MLG rather than downwards to citizens. Third, within the councils, there is a mismatch in incentives between the bureaucrats and politicians that can undermine policy implementation; while the former respect authority and attention to procedures, the latter are focused on constituents’ priorities and may bypass formal procedures to deliver to their voters. Based on interviews with market committees and solid waste companies, these dynamics have negative externalities on citizen perceptions and service provision in urban areas. As one of the few analyses conducted with local bureaucrats to assess their experiences with decentralization, the study aims to advance both policy and scholarship about the political economy dynamics surrounding efforts to strengthen subnational capabilities in developing countries.

The Political Economy of Democratic Decentralization

The Political Economy of Democratic Decentralization PDF Author: James Manor
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
Nearly all countries worldwide are now experimenting with decentralization. Their motivation are diverse. Many countries are decentralizing because they believe this can help stimulate economic growth or reduce rural poverty, goals central government interventions have failed to achieve. Some countries see it as a way to strengthen civil society and deepen democracy. Some perceive it as a way to off-load expensive responsibilities onto lower level governments. Thus, decentralization is seen as a solution to many different kinds of problems. This report examines the origins and implications decentralization from a political economy perspective, with a focus on its promise and limitations. It explores why countries have often chosen not to decentralize, even when evidence suggests that doing so would be in the interests of the government. It seeks to explain why since the early 1980s many countries have undertaken some form of decentralization. This report also evaluates the evidence to understand where decentralization has considerable promise and where it does not. It identifies conditions needed for decentralization to succeed. It identifies the ways in which decentralization can promote rural development. And it names the goals which decentralization will probably not help achieve.

Problem-Driven Political Economy Analysis

Problem-Driven Political Economy Analysis PDF Author: Verena Fritz
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 1464801223
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
This volume presents eight good practice examples of problem-driven political economy analysis conducted at the World Bank, and reflect what the Bank has so far been able to achieve in mainstreaming this approach into its operations and policy dialogue.

Decentralisation in Uganda

Decentralisation in Uganda PDF Author: Elijah Dickens Mushemeza
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789970567119
Category : Decentralization in government
Languages : en
Pages : 78

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Book Description


Understanding Policy Change

Understanding Policy Change PDF Author: Cristina Corduneanu-Huci
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821395394
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 379

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Book Description
This book provides the reader with the full panoply of political economy tools and concepts necessary to understand, analyze, and integrate how political and social factors may influence the success or failure of their policy goals.

Embracing political economy to enhance policy influence: Lessons from PIM research

Embracing political economy to enhance policy influence: Lessons from PIM research PDF Author: Resnick, Danielle
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 11

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Book Description
An overarching goal of the CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM) has been to influence policy outcomes in ways that lead to agricultural transformation and economic inclusion. The technical quality of this research is well recognized (CAS Secretariat 2020). Yet, high-quality, rigorous research is not sufficient to achieve policy influence in any domain. Other factors may shape policy uptake — for instance, elections may alter policy priorities, ideological biases may hinder the acceptance of research findings, and vested interest groups may lobby against data-driven or evidence-informed recommendations. A political economy perspective allows for a more holistic and realistic understanding of how policies are determined by governments and which pathways are more viable for achieving development outcomes through policy change.

Is Decentralization Good for Development?

Is Decentralization Good for Development? PDF Author: Jean-Paul Faguet
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0198737505
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
Is decentralisation good for development? This book explains when the answer is 'Yes' and when it is 'No'. It shows how decentralisation can be designed to drive development forward, and focuses on the institutional incentives that can strengthen democracy, boost economies, and improve public sector performance.

Waiting for Democracy

Waiting for Democracy PDF Author: Jesse Craig Ribot
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 156

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Book Description
References pp. 115-132.

Relevant Determinants in Public Policy and Administration

Relevant Determinants in Public Policy and Administration PDF Author: Cornelius Ombagi, Jumanne Andrew Shangarai
Publisher: AJPO Journals USA LLC
ISBN: 9914745504
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 135

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Book Description
TOPICS IN THE BOOK Effect of Policy Network Individual Actors’ Characteristics on Policy Process Outcomes in the Road Transport Sector in Nairobi City County, Kenya Effects of Policy Network Type on Public Policy Processes Outcomes in the Road Transport Sector in Nairobi City County, Kenya Effect of Policy Network Collaboration on Public Policy Process Outcomes in the Road Transport Sector in Nairobi City County, Kenya Resource Allocation Practice and Devolved Administrative Structures in Selected Semi-Arid Counties in Kenya Public Accountability Practice and Devolved Administrative Structures in Selected Semi-Arid Counties in Kenya

Decentralization in Developing Countries

Decentralization in Developing Countries PDF Author: Dennis A. Rondinelli
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780821302354
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Book Description