ABSTRACT
Many analyses of decentralization (including some in this volume) revolve around its impact on democratic accountability. Certainly, the two are often viewed as closely linked. The late 20th century wave of democratic reform brought in its wake the devolution of power from central to sub-national governments across the world. Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Spain, the Philippines, India and Uganda are but a few examples from a long list. The rationales for decentralization are, in fact, not altogether different from those for democratization. The two principal arguments for democratization are that it empowers people and is therefore good in its own right, and that the political discipline imposed by elections and other forms of political action leads to better governance. Similarly, decentralization is sometimes advocated on the grounds that it empowers sub-national communities and is therefore good on principle, and sometimes that the political disciplines on governments work more effectively at the local level.
