This book chapter traces the evolution and analytical underpinnings of local governance as background to a better understanding of the case studies of developing countries in the book. The chapter outlines analytical approaches to local governance that can be helpful in understanding the role of governments and comparing and contrasting institutional arrangements.
It further develops a model of local governance that integrates various strands of this literature and presents stylized models and institutions of local governance as practiced in different parts of the world during past centuries. It compares and contrasts the ancient Indian and Chinese systems of local governance with Nordic, Southern European, North American, and Australian models. Finally, it provides a comparative overview of local government organization and finance in selected developing countries as an introduction to the in-depth treatment of these countries in the rest of the book.
Key findings:
