Article Title
Moving from Highly Centralized to Decentralized Governance Models:  A Preliminary Framework for Analysing Political and Economic Drivers

Date
02 July 2024

Credits
Hassan Masri
Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj

Link
https://www.lugarit.com/commentary/commentary-from-centralized-to-decentralized-governance

Summary
This paper provides a framework for analyzing the political and economic drivers that prompt highly centralized governance systems to pursue decentralization. Moving beyond the simplistic dichotomy of democratization versus authoritarianism, the study explores five key drivers—power balances, legitimacy, economic challenges, peripheral uprisings, and external influences—using global case studies. It emphasizes the complexity and context-dependence of decentralization processes, highlighting that successful outcomes require more than just normative frameworks. Instead, effective decentralization demands continuous adaptation, stakeholder engagement, and alignment of central and local governance roles over extended periods of time.

Exploring the Shift: Centralized to Decentralized Governance

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