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When is Fiscal Decentralization Good for Governance?

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  • Charles R. Hankla

Abstract

Many developing countries are seeking to improve governance with fiscal decentralization. It is therefore worth revisiting what we know about political and economic institutions to understand how and under what circumstances decentralization can be beneficial. In an effort to do that, I review past research on the governance implications of devolving power to subnational authorities. Based on this review, I find that the gains from decentralization depend sensitively on how subnational authorities and intergovernmental relations are structured. I therefore conclude the paper by drawing nine lessons from theory and experience to help improve the design of decentralized institutions. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles R. Hankla, 2009. "When is Fiscal Decentralization Good for Governance?," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 39(4), pages 632-650, Fall.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:publus:v:39:y:2009:i:4:p:632-650
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    Cited by:

    1. Wouter P. Veenendaal, 2015. "Origins and Persistence of Federalism and Decentralization in Microstates," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 45(4), pages 580-604.
    2. Fernanda Andrade de Xavier & Aparna P. Lolayekar & Pranab Mukhopadhyay, 2021. "Decentralization and Its Impact on Growth in India," Journal of South Asian Development, , vol. 16(1), pages 130-151, April.
    3. Raúl Alberto Ponce Rodríguez, 2018. "Campaign contributions and local public goods in a federation," Estudios Económicos, El Colegio de México, Centro de Estudios Económicos, vol. 33(2), pages 283-311.
    4. Bui, Duy Tung & Nguyen , Canh Phuc & Dinh , Thanh Su, 2021. "Fiscal Decentralisation and Externalities on Economic Growth: Spatial-provincial evidence from Vietnam," Journal of Economic Development, The Economic Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, vol. 46(4), pages 31-64, December.
    5. Kshitiz Shrestha & Jorge Martinez‐Vazquez & Charles Hankla, 2023. "Political decentralization and corruption: Exploring the conditional role of parties," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(1), pages 411-439, March.
    6. Santiago Lago-Peñas & Agnese Sacchi & Pablo Simon-Cosano, 2014. "Who honor the rules of federalism? Party system nationalization and fiscal performance," Working Papers. Collection A: Public economics, governance and decentralization 1409, Universidade de Vigo, GEN - Governance and Economics research Network.
    7. Grégoire ROTA-GRAZIOSI & Emilie CALDEIRA, 2014. "La décentralisation dans les pays en développement : une revue de la littérature - Decentralization in developing countries: A literature review," Working Papers 201411, CERDI.
    8. Emilie Caldeira & Grégoire Rota-Graziosi, 2015. "La décentralisation dans les pays en développement : une revue de la littérature - Decentralization in developing countries: A literature review," CERDI Working papers halshs-01005204, HAL.
    9. Raúl A Ponce-Rodríguez & Charles R Hankla & Jorge Martinez-Vazquez & Eunice Heredia-Ortiz, 2018. "Rethinking the Political Economy of Decentralization: How Elections and Parties Shape the Provision of Local Public Goods," Publius: The Journal of Federalism, CSF Associates Inc., vol. 48(4), pages 523-558.
    10. Leonardo Letelier S. & José Luis Sáez Lozano, 2013. "Fiscal Decentralization in Specific Areas of Government. A Technical Note," Economía Mexicana NUEVA ÉPOCA, CIDE, División de Economía, vol. 0(2), pages 357-373, July-Dece.
    11. Geiguen Shin & Jeremy L. Hall, 2018. "Exploring the Influence of Federal Welfare Expenditures on State-Level New Economy Development Performance: Drawing From the Diffusion of Innovation Theory," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 32(3), pages 242-256, August.
    12. Raul V. Fabella & Sarah Lynne S. Daway-Ducanes, 2018. "Federalism and Inclusion in Developing Economies," UP School of Economics Discussion Papers 201804, University of the Philippines School of Economics.

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