Decentralisation and Development: Partners in the 21st Century?

This article examines the problems of centralisation in developing countries in the post independence era. It also evaluates the role of decentralisation, which has been the focus of much recent attention in development literature. Attention is given to different forms of decentralisation, and experiences in developing countries which have had a profound impact on implementation of decentralisation policies. The centralisation and decentralisation dichotomy with the distinction between federal and unitary states is also discussed. It also emphasises the future directions of research in decentralisation within the present market economy framework.