Centralization in Government

CONTENT

MEANING

1. Reasons for its adoptions
2. Merits and demerits

CENTRALIZATION

MEANING

The term centralization refers to a system of government administration in which power is concentrated in a single central authority. In such a centralized system of government, there is no constitutional provision for the sharing of governmental powers between the single central authority and any other body but powers can be delegated to subordinate bodies. The highest degree of centralization is achieved in unitary states. In such a unitary state there is only one legislature, one executive and one judiciary. Local authorities that exist in centralized states are created by the central authority that delegate powers to them.

Unitary states like Britain, Italy, and France etc. are examples of centralization of governmental administration.

REASONS FOR THE ADOPTION OF CENTRALIZATION

• The size of the country.
• Absence of tribal differences.
• Lack of fear of domination
• Common language and culture.
• Lack of marked economic inequalities.
• Absence of minority groups and strong loyalty to the central government.
• The constitution of a centralized state is flexible.
• There is no conflict of authority.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

• What is centralization?
• Give 5 reasons for its adoption.

MERITS OF CENTRALIZATION

• Strong and stable government.
• Reduction in cost.
• Quicker decision making.
• Promotion of national unity.
• Uniformity in the level of development.
• Centralization also removes frictions.
• It prevents waste of resources.

DEMERITS OF CENTRALIZATION

• It keeps the people far away from government.
• Encouragement of dictatorship.
• The central government is overburdened.
• It also prevents local autonomy.
• Centralization kills local initiatives.
• It does not suit large territories.
• It also leads to domination of minority groups.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

• What are the arguments for centralization?
• State 5 demerits of centralization.

DECENTRALIZATION

MEANING

Decentralization refers to a system of governmental administration whereby powers are not concentrated in a single central authority but shared among component regional and local units. Powers allocated to different authorities are clearly specified in a written constitution. Decentralization exists in a federal structure. Federal states such as USA, Nigeria, and Federal Republic of Germany etc. are examples of decentralization of government administration.

TYPES OF DECENTALIZATION

There are two types of decentralization and they are;

Devolution

Deconcentration

DEVOLUTION: This is a system of administration, where the central government may decide to set up or create subordinate levels of government in different parts of the country. This type of administration applies to unitary government in which the country may be split into units for administrative convenience. Britain, South Africa and Northern Ireland are good examples.

DECONCENTRATION: This refers to a system of administration in which powers are shared in such a way that the component states are not directly subordinate to the central authority. France is a good example.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. What is decentralization?
2. Mention the types of decentralization.

MERITS OF DECENTRALIZATION

• Quick development.
• It brings government nearer to the people.
• Absence of a dictatorship.
• The fears of minority are removed from the domination by the majority.
• Political unity is achieved.
• It encourages wider consultation.
• It reduces the work load of central government.
• It increases efficiency of government.

DEMERITS OF DECENTRALIZATION

• The system is too expensive to run.
• There is delay in decision making.
• There is no uniform development.
• The centre is weak because of the autonomy of the units.
• Functions in government are duplicated.
• The system breeds sectionalism in the country.

EVALUATION QUESTION

• List the merits of decentralization.
• What are the arguments against decentralization?

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Mention and explain the types of decentralization.
2. What are the criticisms to centralization?
3. What are the arguments for decentralization?
4. A. Define Political culture B. Enumerate 5 factors that determine political culture.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

• The delegation of administrative powers to the local units with central supervision and control is called  A.deconcentrationB. concentration of powers C. devolutionD. deregulation
• Centralization  is associated with A. federalism B. unitary government C. monarchyD. presidential
• Examples of countries with decentralized  system is A. Italy B. USA C. BritainD. Canada
• One of the following is a form of decentralization A. devolution B. centralization C. unitary governmentD.confederal government
• The following are merits of decentralization  except A. it prevents dictatorship  B. suitable for large society C. it saves costD. it promotes unity in diversity

THEORY

1. What is decentralization?
2. Explain the term, devolution of power.

READING ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC: Delegated legislature: Comprehensive Government Pages 66-68

Essential Government Pages 83-85