In tandem with contemporary global governance integrity in pursuit, to effectively and efficiently put into use proper management of public resources to improve economic growth and development of each state, modern liberal governments have enhanced an avenue to decentralize resources from central governments to devolved governments aimed at equal distribution of resources across the regions in the nation. Kenya's 2010 Constitution institutionalized Devolved governments in 47 Counties to manage public resources at county levels. This book explores the possibilities that Kenya has within the new 2010 constitution dispensation that devolution's impact has on economic development in the country with comparative case studies of devolved governments in China and Brazil.

This open access book modifies and revitalizes the concept of the ‘developmental state’ to understand the politics of emerging economy through nuanced analysis on the roles of human agency in the context of structural transformation. In other words, there is a revived interest in the ‘developmental state’ concept. The nature of the ‘emerging state’ is characterized by its attitude toward economic development and industrialization. Emerging states have engaged in the promotion of agriculture, trade, and industry and played a transformative role to pursue a certain path of economic development. Their success has cast doubt about the principle of laissez faire among the people in the developing world. This doubt, together with the progress of democratization, has prompted policymakers to discover when and how economic policies should deviate from laissez faire, what prevents political leaders and state institutions from being captured by vested interests, and what induce them to drive economic development. This book offers both historical and contemporary case studies from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda. They illustrate how institutions are designed to be developmental, how political coalitions are formed to be growth-oriented, and how technocratic agencies are embedded in a network of business organizations as a part of their efforts for state building.

Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Africa, grade: B, Stellenbosch Universitiy, course: Southern African Political Economy, 13 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Dele Olowu and Soumana Sako (2002) point out that it is no secret that governance on the African continent has been under the spotlight, and for all the wrong reasons. Their have been improvements, however, with a shifting from autocracy to democracy in many African states; this has resulted in a move to better or good governance due to this democratic change. Good governance is a complex issue and there is no distinction between good, democratic and participatory governance. Furthermore, there has been little consensus pertaining to the criteria that distinguishes between good, bad, or better governance. This paper will not delve into the conceptualisation of good governance due to length restrictions. The bulk of the paper will provide a detailed analysis of decentralisation, as well as looking at systems of government and models of local government. That will be followed by an overview of decentralisation on the African continent, with specific reference to its impact on the East African state of Kenya. The influence of decentralisation has produced mixed reactions, depending on who it effects; the adequate conceptualisation and method of implementation of the term has also been disputed. This paper holds the position that decentralisation has had a positive effect on the continent as a whole as well as on Kenya. [...]

The contributors to this volume analyze the impetus, nature and impact of state devolution in the United States. While debates over such changes typically centre on economic, political, and social change, the contributors shift the debate to an examination of the complex geographical implications of devolution. In a society territorially fragmented and diverse as exists in the US, changes in the form and function of government are experienced differently in different parts of the country. This volume details the outcomes of restructuring and explores how the redistribution of resources and responsibilities affects the lives of all Americans.

Nearly all countries worldwide are now experimenting with decentralization. Their motivation are diverse. Many countries are decentralizing because they believe this can help stimulate economic growth or reduce rural poverty, goals central government interventions have failed to achieve. Some countries see it as a way to strengthen civil society and deepen democracy. Some perceive it as a way to off-load expensive responsibilities onto lower level governments. Thus, decentralization is seen as a solution to many different kinds of problems. This report examines the origins and implications decentralization from a political economy perspective, with a focus on its promise and limitations. It explores why countries have often chosen not to decentralize, even when evidence suggests that doing so would be in the interests of the government. It seeks to explain why since the early 1980s many countries have undertaken some form of decentralization. This report also evaluates the evidence to understand where decentralization has considerable promise and where it does not. It identifies conditions needed for decentralization to succeed. It identifies the ways in which decentralization can promote rural development. And it names the goals which decentralization will probably not help achieve.

Comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives on the current trend in the developing world of devolving political and economic power to local governments.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach to the dynamics of political and economic decentralization in contemporary regimes, this comprehensive Handbook offers a critical examination of how the decentralization of governance affects citizen well-being.

"A compelling theory on the rationale for the changing fortunes of nations"--Publisher's website.