Decentralization in the Middle East and North Africa

Prof. Dr. Thomas Demmelhuber; Prof. Dr. Roland Sturm

doi:10.5771/9783748920731

Summary

This book investigates political, economic and social links between top-down decentralisation strategies and neopatrimonial elite networks in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Over ten years since 2011, several MENA regimes have initiated decentralisation processes, but empirical observations suggest a gap between the formal layout and the outcome of decentralisation. The authors identify neopatrimonial networks as an explanatory factor in this respect. A comparative study of Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt (1) looks at decentralisation from the perspective of the periphery, (2) examines decentralisation within neopatrimonial contexts, (3) includes fiscal policy and informal financial flows, and (4) analyses the international donor perspective. With contributions bySylvia I. Bergh, Miriam Bohn, Thomas Demmelhuber, Roland Sturm and Erik Vollmann.

Keywords

Search publication

Bibliographic data

Copyright year: 2021
ISBN-Print: 978-3-8487-8273-4
ISBN-Online: 978-3-7489-2073-1
Publisher: Nomos, Baden-Baden
Series: Nahoststudien. Middle Eastern Studies
Volume: 5
Language: English
Pages: 199
Product type: Edited Book

Titelei/InhaltsverzeichnisPages 1 - 8 Download chapter (PDF)
Thomas Demmelhuber, Roland Sturm Download chapter (PDF)
1. Decentralization – a story with many chaptersThomas Demmelhuber, Roland Sturm
2. The book’s rationale and outlineThomas Demmelhuber, Roland Sturm
3. Main findings: Decentralization, a theater of reform?Thomas Demmelhuber, Roland Sturm
4. Outlook – a roadmap for further researchThomas Demmelhuber, Roland Sturm
Roland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber Download chapter (PDF)
1. Roland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
  1. Where and what is the region in MENA statehood?Roland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
  2. Structure mattersRoland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
  3. Institutional reform as boosterRoland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
  4. Measuring decentralizationRoland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
  5. Empowerment and its limitRoland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
2. Roland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
  1. Top-down and bottom-up factors of decentralizationRoland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
  2. Fiscal policy and decentralizationRoland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
3. ConclusionRoland Sturm, Thomas Demmelhuber
Miriam Bohn, Thomas Demmelhuber, and Erik Vollmann Download chapter (PDF)
1. Case selection and period of investigationMiriam Bohn, Thomas Demmelhuber, and Erik Vollmann
2. Analyzing subnational dynamics under authoritarianism: Methodological approachMiriam Bohn, Thomas Demmelhuber, and Erik Vollmann
3. Miriam Bohn, Thomas Demmelhuber, and Erik Vollmann
  1. Preparation phase ahead of the field tripMiriam Bohn, Thomas Demmelhuber, and Erik Vollmann
  2. Conducting fieldwork in the peripheryMiriam Bohn, Thomas Demmelhuber, and Erik Vollmann
4. Public finance and subnational data: Issues of quality and availabilityMiriam Bohn, Thomas Demmelhuber, and Erik Vollmann
Miriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann Download chapter (PDF)
1. Miriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  1. Decentralization in the MENAMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  2. Neopatrimonialism and decentralizationMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  3. Elites and decentralizationMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
2. Miriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  1. Center-periphery relations: Reformism in the king’s nameMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
3. Miriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  1. Neopatrimonial networks and decentralization: New arenas for controlled competition, training grounds for political actors, dominance through scattered responsibilitiesMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
4. Miriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  1. Center-periphery relations: Highly interwoven, strictly selectiveMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  2. Decentralized power structures: From relative autonomy to high central controlMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  3. Neopatrimonial networks and decentralization: A theatre of reform to uphold the status quoMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
5. Miriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  1. Center-periphery relations: The shadow of the ancien régimeMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  2. Decentralized power structures: Strong local governance turnaround halted by central state resistanceMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  3. Neopatrimonial networks and decentralization: Old ties, new actors, and cautious central governmentsMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
6. Miriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  1. Center-periphery networks: Turbulent times, yet surprising consistencyMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  2. Decentralized power structures: An ever-failing public service sector, yet no improvement in sightMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
  3. Neopatrimonial networks and decentralization: Strong bottom-up dynamics and frightened central elitesMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
7. Conclusion: Smart vs. old-fashioned autocrats and the shadows of the pastMiriam Bohn, Erik Vollmann
Erik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn Download chapter (PDF)
1. Fiscal decentralization, effective local governance and neopatrimonialism in the MENAErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
2. Erik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  1. Development of subnational finances: MENA forerunner, international latecomerErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  2. Regional disparities: Urban-concentrated spending and advancement of strategic regionsErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  3. Subnational finance and the central state: Underfinanced, overcontrolled and highly dependent on the centerErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
3. Erik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  1. Development of subnational finances: A sensitive balancing gameErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  2. Regional disparities: A tiny country, yet highly unequal financial flowsErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  3. Subnational finance and the central state: High levels of central control and clientelismErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
4. Erik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  1. Development of subnational finances: Governance turnaround underway? Spending increases without clear visionErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  2. Regional disparities: Ongoing central dominance and peripheral neglectErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  3. Subnational finance and the central state: Underequipped local governments, infighting ministries, cautious governorsErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
5. Erik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  1. Development of subnational finances: Inefficient public service provision and rising military presenceErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  2. Regional disparities: Economic hubs, mega projects and the rest of the countryErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  3. Subnational finance and the central state: High central control and hierarchyErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
  4. Way to go? – Long way to go: Careful progress in Morocco and Tunisia, stagnation in Jordan and EgyptErik Vollmann, Miriam Bohn
Sylvia I. Bergh Download chapter (PDF)
1. IntroductionSylvia I. Bergh
2. Case study selectionSylvia I. Bergh
3. Research methods and limitationsSylvia I. Bergh
4. A brief background to decentralization in MoroccoSylvia I. Bergh
5. The World Bank’s Municipal Performance Program-for-Results program in MoroccoSylvia I. Bergh
6. Germany’s interests in the MENA region and the GIZ projects in MoroccoSylvia I. Bergh
7. A brief background to decentralization in TunisiaSylvia I. Bergh
8. The World Bank’s Urban Development and Local Governance Program in TunisiaSylvia I. Bergh
9. The GIZ projects in TunisiaSylvia I. Bergh
10. Assessing the extent of TWP in the design stageSylvia I. Bergh
11. Sylvia I. Bergh
  1. Findings from the World Bank program in MoroccoSylvia I. Bergh
  2. Findings from the World Bank program in TunisiaSylvia I. Bergh
  3. Findings from the GIZ’s projects in MoroccoSylvia I. Bergh
  4. Findings from the GIZ’s project in TunisiaSylvia I. Bergh
  5. Summary of findingsSylvia I. Bergh
12. The extent of donor coordination, and technical assistance overload?Sylvia I. Bergh
13. ConclusionSylvia I. Bergh
List of AuthorsPages 199 - 199 Download chapter (PDF)

Similar publications

from the topics "Government & Governance & Administration", "Comparative Political Research & Country Studies", "International Relations", "International Organizations & NGOs"