ABSTRACT
Decentralisation, understood as shifting authority over policy implementation and over resource management from central government to lower-level actors, is a key feature of public management reform. Decentralisation is popular because its supposed advantages (in particular, more participatory decision-making, more relevant policies and improved administrative efficiency) address the concerns of different interest groups — including many development agencies. The image of a ‘leaner’, more effective central state, focused on policy development and evaluation, with policy implementation being the responsibility of local actors, does indeed fit well with the convictions of many agencies.
