Decentralization of power

The Meaning of Decentralization of Power

Decentralization is the transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from the central government to subordinate or quasi-independent government organizations and/or the private sector. It can also be seen as the process of redistributing or dispersing functions, powers, people or things away from a central location or authority. That is to say it is the sharing of power between the central government and the other constituent units, within a political system. Thus, the distribution of powers culminates in the creation of numerous centres of power.

Forms of Decentralization

The forms of decentralization include the following:

1. Deconcentration
2. Delegation
3. Devolution
4. Divestment

Deconcentration

Deconcentration, which is often considered to be the weakest form of decentralization and is used most frequently in unitary states, redistributes decision making authority and financial and management responsibilities among different levels of the central government. It can merely shift responsibilities from central government officials in the capital city to those working in regions, provinces or districts, or it can create strong field administration or local administrative capacity under the supervision of central government ministries.

Delegation

Delegation is a more extensive form of decentralization. Through delegation, central governments transfer responsibility for decision-making and administration of public functions to semi-autonomous organizations not wholly controlled by the central government, but ultimately accountable to it. Governments delegate responsibilities when they create public enterprises or corporations, housing authorities, transportation authorities, special service districts, semi-autonomous school districts, regional development corporations, or special project implementation units. Usually these organizations have a great deal of discretion in decision-making. They may be exempt from constraints on regular civil service personnel and may be able to charge users directly for services.

Devolution

A third type of administrative decentralization is devolution of powers: It transfers all responsibility for decision-making, finance and implementation of certain public functions to the sub-national level, such as a regional, local, or state government. That is to say, when governments devolve functions, they transfer authority for decision-making, finance, and management to quasi-autonomous units of local government with corporate status. Devolution usually transfers responsibilities for services to municipalities that elect their own mayors and councils, raise their own revenues, and have independent authority to make investment decisions. In a devolved system, local governments have clear and legally recognized geographical boundaries over which they exercise authority and within which they perform public functions. It is this type of administrative decentralization that underlies most political decentralization.

Divestment

Divestment, also called privatization, may mean merely contracting out services to private companies. Or it may mean relinquishing totally all responsibility for decision-making, finance and implementation of certain public functions. Facilities will be sold off, workers transferred or fired and private companies or not-for-profit organizations allowed to provide the services. Many of these functions originally were done by private individuals, companies, or associations and later taken over by the government, either directly, or by regulating out of business, entities which competed with newly created government programs.

Merits and Demerits of Decentralization

Merits of Decentralization

The following are the merits or advantages of decentralization:

1. Quick development: This system gives room for speedy development because each unit is given the leverage to develop at its own pace. Thus developmental decision is unit-based.
2. Government at the grass root: This system tends to bring government closer to the people of the grass root, thus attending to the interest of both the majority and minority groups in the society.
3. Absence of dictatorial tendency: The supremacy of the constitution and the application of the principle of separation of powers tend to hamper the development of tyrannical tendencies.
4. Wider consultation: This system gives room for a large spectrum of consultation. Thus, decision making is open to all spectra of society.
5. Increased political participation: This system tends to create room for wider political participation due to its consultative tendencies.
6. Leadership training ground: This system makes for leadership training opportunities for leaders to acquire necessary leadership skill for appropriate transition from one unit or level of government to the other based on accountability and transparency of the various personalities involved.

Demerits of Decentralization

The following are the demerits or disadvantages of decentralization:

1. Cost of operation is high, since two or more levels of authority will mean duplication of departments and governmental functions.
2. Conflict may arise as there are two or more levels of authority existing within the country.
3. Ambiguity and confusion may also arise as to who the citizens will give their loyalty to in times of conflict.
4. Since there are two or more levels of government, conflict may result to an unstable political system.
5. Favouritism in development may give way to uneven development as the central authority may tend to favour some areas than the others.

EVALUATION

1. Define decentralization of power.
2. List and explain the types of decentralization.
3. State the merits and demerits of decentralization.