Local government, authority to determine and execute measures within a restricted area inside and smaller than a whole state. Some degree of local government characterizes every country in the world, although the degree is extremely significant. The variant, local self-government, is important for its emphasis upon the freedom of the locality to decide and act.
There is more than a technical importance in the difference between the two terms, becaus
e they are related to the distinction sometimes drawn between decentralization. Local government is often, but not necessarily, related to the former; local self-government to the latter. These distinctions are important, even if they are blurred. Deconcentration broadly means that, for the sake of convenience, some functions have been devolved from a central government to administration on the spot. Power is still administered through officials appointed by and responsible to the centre, and authority and discretion are vested in the centre.
The history of local government in Western Europe, Great Britain, the United States, and Russia exhibits the growing awareness of its significance. This awareness is a product of a development and town life which began long before the modern state emerged between the 15th and 17th centuries. Any central control over these and other areas was, until the 18th century, rather scanty.
Characteristics Of Local Government
The chief characteristics of local government, which may be studied by comparison of the United Kingdom, Germany, the U.S., and Russia, are (1) constitutional status, (2) areas and authorities, (3) powers, (4) finance and local freedom, (5) organization, and (6) central controls.
Detailed Reading is available in PDF.
Format: Pdf
Total Files: 4
File Size: 7.2 MB
Post a Comment