Institutional impact assessment in multi-level systems: conceptualizing decentralization effects from a comparative perspective
- Comparative literature on institutional reforms in multi-level systems proceeds from a global trend towards the decentralization of state functions. However, there is only scarce knowledge about the impact that decentralization has had, in particular, upon the sub-central governments involved. How does it affect regional and local governments? Do these reforms also have unintended outcomes on the sub-central level and how can this be explained? This article aims to develop a conceptual framework to assess the impacts of decentralization on the sub-central level from a comparative and policy-oriented perspective. This framework is intended to outline the major patterns and models of decentralization and the theoretical assumptions regarding de-/re-centralization impacts, as well as pertinent cross-country approaches meant to evaluate and compare institutional reforms. It will also serve as an analytical guideline and a structural basis for all the country-related articles in this Special Issue. Points forComparative literature on institutional reforms in multi-level systems proceeds from a global trend towards the decentralization of state functions. However, there is only scarce knowledge about the impact that decentralization has had, in particular, upon the sub-central governments involved. How does it affect regional and local governments? Do these reforms also have unintended outcomes on the sub-central level and how can this be explained? This article aims to develop a conceptual framework to assess the impacts of decentralization on the sub-central level from a comparative and policy-oriented perspective. This framework is intended to outline the major patterns and models of decentralization and the theoretical assumptions regarding de-/re-centralization impacts, as well as pertinent cross-country approaches meant to evaluate and compare institutional reforms. It will also serve as an analytical guideline and a structural basis for all the country-related articles in this Special Issue. Points for practitioners Decentralization reforms are approved as having a key role to play in the attainment of ‘good governance’. Yet, there is also the enticement on the part of state governments to offload an ever-increasing amount of responsibilities to, and overtask, local levels of government, which can lead to increasing performance disparities within local sub-state jurisdictions. Against this background, the article provides a conceptual framework to assess reform impacts from a comparative perspective. The analytical framework can be used by practitioners to support their decisions about new decentralization strategies or necessary adjustments regarding ongoing reform measures.…
Author details: | Sabine KuhlmannORCiDGND, Ellen WayenbergORCiD |
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DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1177/0020852315583194 |
ISSN: | 0020-8523 |
ISSN: | 1461-7226 |
Title of parent work (English): | International review of administrative sciences : an international journal of comparative public administration |
Publisher: | Sage |
Place of publishing: | London |
Publication type: | Article |
Language: | English |
Date of first publication: | 2016/06/28 |
Publication year: | 2016 |
Publishing institution: | Universität Potsdam |
Release date: | 2017/05/31 |
Tag: | administrative reform; comparison; coordination; effectiveness; efficiency; impact assessment; institutional reform; local government |
Volume: | 82 |
Issue: | 2 |
Number of pages: | 22 |
First page: | 233 |
Last Page: | 272 |
Organizational units: | Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Fakultät / Sozialwissenschaften |
DDC classification: | 3 Sozialwissenschaften / 35 Öffentliche Verwaltung, Militärwissenschaft / 351 Öffentliche Verwaltung |
Peer review: | Referiert |
Publishing method: | Open Access |
License (German): | Keine öffentliche Lizenz: Unter Urheberrechtsschutz |
External remark: | Zweitveröffentlichung in der Schriftenreihe Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Reihe ; 91 |