Decentralization in the Middle East and North Africa: Informal Politics, Subnational Governance, and the Periphery

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.

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Bibliographic data

Edition: 1/2021
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)
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1. Decentralization – a story with many chapters
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2. The book’s rationale and outline
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3. Main findings: Decentralization, a theater of reform?
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4. Outlook – a roadmap for further research
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1. Authors:
  1. Where and what is the region in MENA statehood?
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  2. Structure matters
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  3. Institutional reform as booster
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  4. Measuring decentralization
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  5. Empowerment and its limit
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2. Authors:
  1. Top-down and bottom-up factors of decentralization
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  2. Fiscal policy and decentralization
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3. Conclusion
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1. Case selection and period of investigation
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2. Analyzing subnational dynamics under authoritarianism: Methodological approach
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3. Authors:
  1. Preparation phase ahead of the field trip
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  2. Conducting fieldwork in the periphery
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4. Public finance and subnational data: Issues of quality and availability
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1. Authors:
  1. Decentralization in the MENA
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  2. Neopatrimonialism and decentralization
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  3. Elites and decentralization
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2. Authors:
  1. Center-periphery relations: Reformism in the king’s name
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3. Authors:
  1. Neopatrimonial networks and decentralization: New arenas for controlled competition, training grounds for political actors, dominance through scattered responsibilities
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4. Authors:
  1. Center-periphery relations: Highly interwoven, strictly selective
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  2. Decentralized power structures: From relative autonomy to high central control
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  3. Neopatrimonial networks and decentralization: A theatre of reform to uphold the status quo
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5. Authors:
  1. Center-periphery relations: The shadow of the ancien régime
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  2. Decentralized power structures: Strong local governance turnaround halted by central state resistance
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  3. Neopatrimonial networks and decentralization: Old ties, new actors, and cautious central governments
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6. Authors:
  1. Center-periphery networks: Turbulent times, yet surprising consistency
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  2. Decentralized power structures: An ever-failing public service sector, yet no improvement in sight
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  3. Neopatrimonial networks and decentralization: Strong bottom-up dynamics and frightened central elites
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7. Conclusion: Smart vs. old-fashioned autocrats and the shadows of the past
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1. Fiscal decentralization, effective local governance and neopatrimonialism in the MENA
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2. Authors:
  1. Development of subnational finances: MENA forerunner, international latecomer
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  2. Regional disparities: Urban-concentrated spending and advancement of strategic regions
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  3. Subnational finance and the central state: Underfinanced, overcontrolled and highly dependent on the center
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3. Authors:
  1. Development of subnational finances: A sensitive balancing game
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  2. Regional disparities: A tiny country, yet highly unequal financial flows
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  3. Subnational finance and the central state: High levels of central control and clientelism
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4. Authors:
  1. Development of subnational finances: Governance turnaround underway? Spending increases without clear vision
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  2. Regional disparities: Ongoing central dominance and peripheral neglect
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  3. Subnational finance and the central state: Underequipped local governments, infighting ministries, cautious governors
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5. Authors:
  1. Development of subnational finances: Inefficient public service provision and rising military presence
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  2. Regional disparities: Economic hubs, mega projects and the rest of the country
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  3. Subnational finance and the central state: High central control and hierarchy
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  4. Way to go? – Long way to go: Careful progress in Morocco and Tunisia, stagnation in Jordan and Egypt
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1. Introduction
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2. Case study selection
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3. Research methods and limitations
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4. A brief background to decentralization in Morocco
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5. The World Bank’s Municipal Performance Program-for-Results program in Morocco
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6. Germany’s interests in the MENA region and the GIZ projects in Morocco
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7. A brief background to decentralization in Tunisia
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8. The World Bank’s Urban Development and Local Governance Program in Tunisia
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9. The GIZ projects in Tunisia
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10. Assessing the extent of TWP in the design stage
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11. Authors:
  1. Findings from the World Bank program in Morocco
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  2. Findings from the World Bank program in Tunisia
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  3. Findings from the GIZ’s projects in Morocco
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  4. Findings from the GIZ’s project in Tunisia
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  5. Summary of findings
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12. The extent of donor coordination, and technical assistance overload?
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13. Conclusion
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List of AuthorsPages 199 - 199 Download chapter (PDF)