Decentralisation and development

This book originates from the author's PhD research on the topic, "The Impact of Decentralisation on Development, with Special Reference to the Experience of Bangladesh Since 1982". The research observes that many developing countries have suffered in the past from their policy of over-centralisation in development. In recent time, many countries have attempted to reverse this trend through policy of decentralisation to overcome institutional weaknesses, enable development to be administered at the local level, and bring greater popular participation in local and rural development. Democratic structures have been prescribed as means of accountability. Over centralisation was a key feature of administration before independence of Bangladesh, and this continued for years after the independence in 1971. A major change in local and rural development came through the decentralisation policy of 1982 to increase authority of a vital local government unit, the "Upazila Administration" for ensuring delivery of basic needs services to people. But without parallel reforms in other levels of local government, decentralisation has not been altogether effective.