ABSTRACT
There are compelling reasons why a liberal democratic state such as the United Kingdom should have a robust system of local government. In a country of more than 62 million people, central government does not have the capacity to handle all the functions associated with the modern state, so the centre delegates some decision-making power to local bodies. There are strong normative arguments for granting local decision-making powers to democratic bodies such as elected local councils. Pluralists argue that power TIPVMECFEJTQFSTFEBNPOHEJýFSFOUUJFSTPGHPWFSONFOUSBUIFSUIBODPODFOUSBUFEBUUIF centre. Decentralisation is beneficial as it brings decision-making closer to the people: local authorities are better able to recognise and meet the needs of local communities. They also provide opportunities for people to participate in local politics.
