Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home AfricaBib Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Book Book Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Decentralisation in Africa: a pathway out of poverty and conflict?
Editors:Crawford, GordonISNI
Hartmann, ChristofISNI
Year:2008
Pages:260
Language:English
City of publisher:Amsterdam
Publisher:Amsterdam University Press
ISBN:9789053569344
Geographic terms:Africa
Ghana
Mauritius
Malawi
Namibia
Rwanda
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
Subjects:decentralization
poverty reduction
conflict resolution
Abstract:The current momentum for decentralization of government in Africa is unparalleled, driven in many instances by donor agencies. This book questions whether decentralization offers a significant pathway out of poverty and violent conflict in Africa. After an outline of the key theoretical issues and debates by Gordon Crawford and Christof Hartmann, issues of poverty reduction are addressed in Uganda (Susan Steiner), Malawi (Blessings Chinsinga), Ghana (Gordon Crawford) and Tanzania (Meine Pieter van Dijk). The relationship between decentralization and conflict management is discussed on the basis of the cases of Uganda (Anna Katharina Schelnberger), Mauritius, Namibia and South Africa (Christof Hartmann), and Rwanda (Peter van Tilburg). The findings are largely negative regarding poverty reduction, while there is limited evidence of direct or indirect conflict mitigating effects. In their conclusion, the editors emphasize the limitations of donor-driven decentralization. They also discuss the politics of decentralization, noting both resistance and manipulation by national political actors. [ASC Leiden abstract]
Cover