A History of Decentralization

Summary

Decentralization policies are part of vigorous initiatives to support rural development. In its most basic definition, decentralization is the transfer of part of the powers of the central government to regional or local authorities. Centralization is in response to the need for national unity, whereas decentralization is in response to demands for diversity. Both forms of administration coexist in different political systems. There seems to be a consensus since the 1980s that too much centralization or absolute local autonomy are both harmful and that it is necessary to put in place a better system of collaboration between the national, regional and local centers of decision-making.(1)