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Decentralizing Development: The Political Economy of Institutional Change in Colombia and Chile

Author

Listed:
  • Angell, Alan

    (St Antony's College, Oxford)

  • Lowden, Pamela
  • Thorp, Rosemary

    (St Antony's College, Oxford)

Abstract

Decentralization has become a fashionable policy prescription among reformers in Latin America. But how does it work in practice? Are the claims that it promotes efficiency, participation, and fiscal responsibility justified? Does the process improve the delivery of social services at the local level and encourage the participation of local communities? What conditions allow a positive response to the challenges of decentralization? This book seeks to explore these questions by examining the experience of seven medium sized provincial towns in Colombia and Chile. The overall national context is analyzed and the differences between the two countries emphasized. Colombia embarked on a process of radical decentralization, largely because of perceived failures of the state at the central level, while in Chile the process of change was much more cautious, since a relatively efficient central state wished to maintain tight control over reform. The effect on the development and politics of the seven cities is also described, and the reasons for the very different outcomes assessed. Particular attention is paid to the role of the mayor and the ability to construct a local coalition for reform. Three thematic chapters further explore the impact of decentralization on the local economy and the role of the private sector in fostering development; the way in which educational reform has been advanced by local authority and community involvement; and the manner in which the new institutional structures affect the development of policies for local poverty alleviation. The authors draw on extensive fieldwork involving numerous interviews with actors at all levels and from all sectors. The result is a unique test, at the local level in Latin America, of the outcome of reforms to the institutional structure of government.

Suggested Citation

  • Angell, Alan & Lowden, Pamela & Thorp, Rosemary, 2001. "Decentralizing Development: The Political Economy of Institutional Change in Colombia and Chile," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199242313.
  • Handle: RePEc:oxp:obooks:9780199242313
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Eslava Luis, 2009. "Decentralization of Development and Nation-Building Today: Reconstructing Colombia from the Margins of Bogotá," The Law and Development Review, De Gruyter, vol. 2(1), pages 283-366, December.
    2. Jaime Bonet Morón & Diana Carolina Ricciulli Marín, 2020. "Historia del ordenamiento urbano de Valledupar," Tiempo y Economía, Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, vol. 7(1), pages 125-152, January.
    3. repec:idb:brikps:352 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Andrew Nickson, 2023. "Decentralization in Latin America After 40 Years: Work in Progress; A Commentary Essay," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1017-1034, September.
    5. Herrera, Veronica, 2014. "Does Commercialization Undermine the Benefits of Decentralization for Local Services Provision? Evidence from Mexico’s Urban Water and Sanitation Sector," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 16-31.
    6. Galindo, Arturo & Scartascini, Carlos & Payne, J. Mark & Daughters, Robert & Melo, Alberto & Echebarría, Koldo & Lora, Eduardo & Filc, Gabriel & Micco, Alejandro & Chong, Alberto E. & Panizza, Ugo & B, 2007. "The State of State Reform in Latin America," IDB Publications (Books), Inter-American Development Bank, number 352, November.
    7. Gershberg, Alec Ian & González, Pablo Alberto & Meade, Ben, 2012. "Understanding and Improving Accountability in Education: A Conceptual Framework and Guideposts from Three Decentralization Reform Experiences in Latin America," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 1024-1041.
    8. Lara, Carlos Icaza & Pezzini, Mario & Villarreal, Roberto & Garcilazo, Enrique & Davies, Andrew, 2009. "Institutional Reform:Improving the Effectiveness of Policy Delivery," MPRA Paper 16567, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Arturo Galindo & Carlos Scartascini & J. Mark Payne & Robert Daughters & Alberto Melo & Koldo Echebarría & Eduardo Lora & Gabriel Filc & Alejandro Micco & Alberto E. Chong & Ugo Panizza & Juan Benavid, 2007. "The State of State Reform in Latin America," IDB Publications (Books), Inter-American Development Bank, number 59578 edited by Eduardo Lora, February.
    10. Roy, Indrajit, 2008. "Civil Society and Good Governance: (Re-) Conceptualizing the Interface," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 677-705, April.
    11. Mieke Meurs, 2008. "Decentralisation and development in post-socialism: local characteristics and outcomes in post-socialist Bulgaria," Post-Communist Economies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 11-32.
    12. Rosemary Thorp and Graciela Zevallos, "undated". "The Economic Policies Of The Fujimori Years: A Return To The Past?," QEH Working Papers qehwps83, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
    13. Rosemary Thorp, 2017. "The political economy of managing extractives: insights from the Peruvian case," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(2), pages 185-203, April.
    14. Mario Chacon, 2017. "In the Line of Fire: Political Violence and Decentralization in Colombia," Working Papers 20170007, New York University Abu Dhabi, Department of Social Science, revised Oct 2017.
    15. repec:gig:joupla:v:3:y:2011:i:1:p:65-98 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Andrea Franco & Arlen Guarín & Carlos Medina & Christian M. Posso, 2017. "Políticas de País y Logros de Regiones: el Caso de la Calidad de la Educación Secundaria en Colombia," Borradores de Economia 981, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.

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