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.…
Verfasserangaben: | Sabine KuhlmannORCiDGND, Ellen WayenbergORCiD |
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DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1177/0020852315583194 |
ISSN: | 0020-8523 |
ISSN: | 1461-7226 |
Titel des übergeordneten Werks (Englisch): | International review of administrative sciences : an international journal of comparative public administration |
Verlag: | Sage |
Verlagsort: | London |
Publikationstyp: | Wissenschaftlicher Artikel |
Sprache: | Englisch |
Datum der Erstveröffentlichung: | 28.06.2016 |
Erscheinungsjahr: | 2016 |
Veröffentlichende Institution: | Universität Potsdam |
Datum der Freischaltung: | 31.05.2017 |
Freies Schlagwort / Tag: | administrative reform; comparison; coordination; effectiveness; efficiency; impact assessment; institutional reform; local government |
Band: | 82 |
Ausgabe: | 2 |
Seitenanzahl: | 22 |
Erste Seite: | 233 |
Letzte Seite: | 272 |
Organisationseinheiten: | Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Fakultät / Sozialwissenschaften |
DDC-Klassifikation: | 3 Sozialwissenschaften / 35 Öffentliche Verwaltung, Militärwissenschaft / 351 Öffentliche Verwaltung |
Peer Review: | Referiert |
Publikationsweg: | Open Access |
Lizenz (Deutsch): | Keine öffentliche Lizenz: Unter Urheberrechtsschutz |
Externe Anmerkung: | Zweitveröffentlichung in der Schriftenreihe Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Reihe ; 91 |