Regional Development and Governance: Localised Aid and Intervention - Dissertation Example

When one looks closely at the overall concept of Decentralization, it is found to be associated with several shades, in terms of different components like deconcentration, a delegation of power, and devolution, and that this process is firmly rooted in our country’s historical and cultural background. For example, good governance was preceded by decentralization; such that during the colonial rule both the French and British administrations were associated with elements of decentralization (the French administration operated through the prefectorial system and the British through urban municipalities and districts) but this lacked the very essence of good governance by being neither democratic nor inclusive nor participatory.

Historically, the Western countries which made the transition to a democratic set-up, enjoyed a diversified social structure, a certain level of tolerance for diversity in the national culture, a continuously expanding middle class, accompanied by relative economic prosperity. Thus, the entire gamut of essential attributes which form the basis for good governance, such as, transparency, accountability, participation, inclusion, responsiveness, and the rule of law slowly got nurtured.
Describing Decentralization
Despite the existence of qualifications and explanations in large numbers, the case presented does not convincingly comply with how decentralization has actually been described existence of some widely debated issues, such as the US states’ rights and the European Union devolution, decentralization has managed to occupy the center stage of all kinds of policy experiments, within the last two decades, as far as the Transition and Developing economies of Africa, Latin America and Asia are concerned. For instance, it has been embraced by The World Bank as one of the most important governance reforms on its table (in recent years, many World Development Reports and some other Bank Documents have given a great deal of prominence to this matter). Taking a look at the two largest World economies, India and China, India ushered in decentralization favoring fundamental reforms in its Constitution, around the time when it also launched its major economic reforms program; and, in China, the last two decades saw decentralization becoming a major component of the institutional framework which was responsible for phenomenal industrial growth (which took place largely in the non-private non-state sector).

Due to a large number of failures, the centralized state has ended up losing its legitimacy everywhere, and it is believed that decentralization promises to bring with it a wide range of benefits. Most often, it is suggested as a means by which the State’s role can be reduced in general, through fragmentation of Central authority and introduction of intergovernmental competition, along with more checks and balances. It is believed to be a way by which government will become more efficient and responsive. With the advent of technology, it has now become somewhat easier to provide basic public amenities like water supply and electricity, in a relatively efficient manner within small market areas, and the functionaries operating in the lower governance levels now possess a greater ability to take care of certain tasks.