Publication: The Political Economy of Decentralization in Sub-Saharan Africa : A New Implementation Model in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal
Date
2013
ISSN
Published
2013
Author(s)
Dafflon, Bernard
Madiès, Thierry
Abstract
For the past two decades, experiments in
decentralization and federalization have been developing in
Africa, Asia, and the formerly communist states of Eastern
Europe. Many of the powers previously in the hands of the
central government or its de-concentrated structures have
been transferred to lower government layers. Additionally,
local governments are gradually emerging as development
actors. Whatever the reasons for decentralization, the
transfer of new functions to local governments can be
substantive, at least in intent. This publication offers a
new policy-oriented implementation model, applied
systematically in parallel in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya,
and Senegal. The book studies the individual countries and
compares similar issues based on the same blueprint. The
analysis is not intended to assess whether the chosen
decentralization model is the right one, which does not
exist. Rather, it examines decentralization achievements in
specific national settings and compares those achievements
with the announced objectives. The divergences revealed
enable decision makers to choose appropriate directions for
country reform. This method does not transpose textbook
solutions to the states. The reference framework offers an
analytical approach contextualized to each country that
integrates not only economic arguments, but also
sociopolitical ones. The authors propose an analytical guide
founded on political and institutional economy. They analyze
decentralized policies that help stakeholders to identify
the issues, point out stumbling blocks, and ensure coherent
decisions on decentralization.
Citation
“Dafflon, Bernard; Madiès, Thierry. 2013. The Political Economy of Decentralization in Sub-Saharan Africa : A New Implementation Model in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal. Africa Development Forum;. © Washington, DC: World Bank and Agence Française de Développement. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/af4dd8c9-40e6-56f2-9b44-54916b53996f License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”