The challenges of decentralisation from a perspective of 'good governance': a review of the literature

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Periodical article

Title:	The challenges of decentralisation from a perspective of 'good governance': a review of the literature
Author:	Setsabi, Setsabi
Year:	2009
Periodical:	Lesotho Social Sciences Review (ISSN 1028-0790)
Volume:	13
Issue:	1-2
Period:	December
Pages:	141-163
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Subsaharan Africa Africa
Subjects:	decentralization governance politics Decentralization in government Africa--Politics and government
Abstract:	Decentralization has become a fast-moving bandwaggon in the search for better governance systems in sub-Saharan Africa. The underlying premise is that power-sharing in decisionmaking processes between the centre and the subnational units of governance will lead to good governance and subsequently to local economic development. The author looks into the commonly made associations between political decentralization and good governance and draws attention to the fact that decentralization is not a panacea. Within this context, he disaggregates the concept of governance into seven facet components - leadership; accountability and responsiveness; transparency; citizenship, participation, inclusiveness and equity; the rule of law; provision of services; and legitimacy - and critically interrogates each within a context of the contribution of decentralization to the concept of 'good governance'. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]