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Manipulating Political Decentralisation

Africa's Inclusive Autocrats

Ragnhild L Muriaas author Lovise Aalen author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:10th Oct '17

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Manipulating Political Decentralisation cover

Can autocrats establish representative subnational governments? And which strategies of manipulation are available if they would like to reduce the uncertainty caused by introducing political decentralisation? In the wake of local government reforms, several states across the world have introduced legislation that provides for subnational elections. This does not mean that representative subnational governments in these countries are all of a certain standard. Political decentralisation should not be confused with democratisation, as the process is likely to be manipulated in ways that do not produce meaningful avenues for political participation and contestation locally.

Using examples from Africa, Lovise Aalen and Ragnhild L. Muriaas propose five requirements for representative subnational governments and four strategies that national governments might use to manipulate the outcome of political decentralisation. The case studies of Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa, and Uganda illustrate why autocrats sometimes are more open to competition at the subnational level than democrats.

Manipulating Political Decentralisation provides a new conceptual tool to assess representative subnational governments' quality, aiding us in building theories on the consequences of political decentralisation on democratisation.

'Lovise Aalen and Ragnhild Muriaas provide a timely and thorough analysis of how incumbent elites can employ strategies that undermine decentralisation. ... Well-written and carefully researched, this book provides important insights into the politics of decentralisation and a much-needed note of caution to those who expect decentralisation to limit political capture.' –Ellen Lust, Yale University

'Although there is broad recognition that subnational elections need not generate the expected benefits of local democracy, Aalen and Muriaas provide an unusually thorough, systematic, and grounded analysis of the factors and dynamics that shape the relationship between decentralisation and democracy. This work is invaluable to scholars and practitioners interested in understanding the forms, roles, and potential effects of political decentralisation in Africa and beyond.'
Paul Smoke, New York University

ISBN: 9781138203037

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 340g

194 pages