ABSTRACT
The decentralization of political power within states requires the creation of decision-making institutions. This chapter shows how the patterns of decentralized institutions are shaped by dominant political values within states functioning with different ideological presuppositions. The pattern of institutions for decentralized government to be found in a particular state will reflect important aspects of political ideology. Democratic self-government on the liberal model in the localities was introduced too late to be regarded as relevant to the new Indian political leadership. In less-developed countries contemporary ideologies of decentralization have their roots in alien importations. The use of special-purpose bodies outside the main structure of government has spread to the subnational level in many contemporary states. Since the rationale of appointed agencies is that special arrangements are needed for the administration of services which cannot be run jointly with other municipal activities, generalizations are almost by definition impossible.
