Fragile states

Decentralisation

Decentralisation has been promoted by donors as a way of encouraging the accountability and accessibility of government. It has tended to be seen as a technical process of changing structures and mechanisms. However, recent research has explored the role of politics in determining the effectiveness of decentralisation reforms. These debates are particularly relevant to decentralisation in fragile states. Such states tend to be strongly centralised but with weak capacity which suggests the need for decentralisation. However, they are often characterised by patronage politics, which hoards rather than devolves power. Also, decentralisation may strengthen the position of warlords and traditional local authorities that exclude women and minority groups.

The following case studies all explore the role of politics in subverting the decentralisation process in post-conflict or fragile states.

Jackson, P., 2005, 'Chiefs, Money and Politicians: Rebuilding Local Government in Post-War Sierra Leone', Public Administration and Development, vol. 25, no 1., pp. 49-58
What are the prospects for decentralisation in post-war Sierra Leone? This paper from the University of Birmingham's International Development Department analyses the interaction between the different elements of local government, finance, and the diamond trade in Sierra Leone and offers guidance for post-conflict reconstruction at a local level. It argues that the reconstitution of the politico-economic networks surrounding diamond extraction outside of local government may lead to the alienation of the same groups that led the rebellion over the last few years.
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Lister, S. and Wilder, A., 2005, 'Strengthening Subnational Administration in Afghanistan: Technical Reform or State-building?', Public Administration and Development, vol. 25, no 1., pp. 39-48
State-building efforts in post-conflict environments frequently emphasise the importance of building or restoring subnational administrative and fiscal structures. How is the functioning and reform of subnational administration affected by the broader political context and the distribution of power in Afghanistan? This paper, from Public Administration and Development, discusses aspects of subnational administration reform in Afghanistan and suggests that reform efforts should be seen as part of an overarching political strategy of state-building.
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Blunt, P. and Turner, M., 2005, 'Decentralisation, Democracy and Development in a Post-conflict Society: Commune Councils in Cambodia', Public Administration and Development, vol. 25, no 1., pp. 75-87
Since the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge in 1979 and the subsequent withdrawal of Vietnamese forces ten years later, Cambodia has focused on stabilisation and the consolidation of political power. Is the government now ready to pursue active decentralisation? Will decentralisation become a reality or remain an impotent legislative measure to satisfy donors? This paper, compiled for Public Administration and Development, reviews the context of decentralisation in Cambodia, the reasons why decentralisation has faltered and the importance of decentralisation for donors.
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Ouedraogo, H., 2003, 'Decentralisation and Local Governance: Experiences from Francophone West Africa', Public Administration and Development, vol. 23, no.1, pp. 97-103
What have been the experiences in francophone West Africa of decentralisation and local governance and investigates the role played by traditional local institutions? These questions are at the centre of this paper. It focuses on three West African countries; Senegal, Burkina Faso and Mali. It is clear that decentralisation has been established in these countries as a fundamental thrust of their development. It has in particular been sought as an answer to the perceived failings of centralised development.
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Conyers, D., 2003, 'Decentralisation in Zimbabwe: a Local Perspective', Public Administration and Development, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 115-124
The Zimbabwean government has made moves towards decentralisation since the early 1980s. However, little power has actually been decentralised, leading to confusion at local level. This article for Public Administration and Development analyses why decentralisation has proved disappointing in one poor district, but suggests that valuable lessons have been learned.
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