The Curious Case of Local Governance in Limited Statehood

Transcription

1 The Curious Case of Local Governance in Limited Statehood Ilire Agimi, PhD #25MERIT Conference Innovation & Governance in Development 28 November 2014

2 Overview Numerous reforms Local voice unheard National political situation Weak central government authority Extensive international involvement No gradual growth of local authority 2

3 Questions To what extent is a transformation occurring under the impact of international agencies? Which factors enable the shifts towards more open and inclusive decision-making at the local level? Who are the drivers of change? What are the contraints for good local governance? 3

4 Governance Disentangle and locate power Networks between state and non-state agencies Relationship between multiple levels * Decentralization * Participation 4

5 Governance under limited statehood Limited resources Contested statehood / legitimacy Weak shadow of hierarchy International agents External shadow of hierarchy 5

6 Local government reform Transformation at the local level Reconfiguration of the state * Devolution of power * Access points for non-state actors 6

7 Statebuilding ANY attempt to reconfigure balance of power is controversial Common denominator of international initiatives * Functioning democratic institutions * Generate legitimacy Reconfiguration of state authority at all levels A bargaining process between international and domestic political elites 7

8 The case studies political contentiousness high variation in state/non-state interaction centrality of policy area in central government agenda * Regional development and service provision * Youth empowerment * Environmental protection * Welfare services 8

9 Young (unemployed) Europeans Youth Action Councils Opportunity structures Formal recognition YAC - municipal leadership Active approach Failure to implementation legislation Obligations to offer services Integration in national strategies 9

10 Regional development initiatives EU EURED USAID - DEMI Focus on core executive Bridge state / non-state divide Market features of governance Insufficient attention to intergovernmental relations Lack of long-term strategies 10

11 Conclusions Weak implementation Multiplication of existing structures Limited reach of central state Rapid changes of competences Centralization of power Acknowledging local autonomy Intergovernmental relations Perpetuating limited statehood 11

12 Conclusions Transforming power New mechanisms of cooperation Dynamics of statehood Instances of good governance International donor resources Mobilization of civil society Leadership of local elites 12

13 Future perspectives Improve knowledge transfer Change of capacity building approach Wider context of governance, politics and institutions Power capture! Doing Development Differently: * There is no trickle down effect! Inclusive governance * Social innovation for sustainable solutions 13

14 Thank you! 23

15 Elite leadership Existing capacitie s at local level Mobilized civil society Ranking in national political agenda International engagement / resources Regional developmen t X Youth empowerme nt X Welfare service provision 23

16

17 Actors ICO EU USAid SOC LG LG C-Govt AKM K-Serbs CivSoc KCCH