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Centralization of Decentralized Governance - Evidence from West Bengal Panchayat

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  • Misra, Jaydev

Abstract

Democratic decentralization in the state of West Bengal, of its own, are not producing systems that are more effective or more accountable to local needs and interests. The formal mechanisms matter less than the informal institutions that underpin local political economies. And the understanding of it by the poor may have been reflected in the ballot box of last Panchayat election held in 2008. If 'only alternative of the left is better left', then the left strategy of democratic decentralization must have to be replaced by alternative model with more accountability, less corruption and abolition of those clientilsm.

Suggested Citation

  • Misra, Jaydev, 2008. "Centralization of Decentralized Governance - Evidence from West Bengal Panchayat," MPRA Paper 15718, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Jun 2009.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:15718
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    File URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/15718/1/MPRA_paper_15718.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pranab Bardhan & Dilip Mookherjee, 1999. "Relative Capture of Local and Central Governments: An Essay in the Political Economy of Decentralization," Boston University - Institute for Economic Development 97, Boston University, Institute for Economic Development.
    2. Blair, Harry, 2000. "Participation and Accountability at the Periphery: Democratic Local Governance in Six Countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 21-39, January.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Democratic decentralization; participation; access; control; sustainable development; clientelism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy
    • R0 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General

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