The Next Wave of Decentralization

Decentralization is a loaded term. It is often mischaracterized as the solution, as opposed to a complex and dynamic multivariate element within the landscape of the social contract. Permutations can be either liberating or deleterious, or both. The first wave of post-World War II decentralization occurred in the 1970s and 1980s with a focus on deconcentration. Beginning in the mid-1980s, the second wave included political power sharing, democratization, and market liberalization and brought in the private sector. The 1990s ushered in participatory decision making through civil society participation. The 2000s have seen a resurgence of development partner interest and funding for the next wave of decentralization.

In this next event in the Innovations in Governance series, we probe:

• What motivates decentralization efforts?
• What have we learned?
• How are countries doing in the latest reform efforts?

Please join us as we connect with practitioners working in Nepal, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and El Salvador to explore answers to these questions.

Conference Panelists:

• Catherine Thompson, Principal Associate, Abt Associates
• Jana Hertz, Senior Policy & Governance Specialist, RTI International
• Jamie Boex, Senior Fellow, Duke Center for International Development
• David M. Hoehner, Associate Vice President, Louis Berger
• Corinne Rothblum, Governance Advisor, USAID
• Hamish Nixon, Director, Decentralization & Citizen Participation, Abt Associates
• Liza Prendergast, Senior Director, Democracy International 

View the event presentation by clicking on the image below

Watch the Session

Learn more about our work on Governance & Justice:
Strengthening Governance & Justice
Decentralization, Transparency & Institutional Effectiveness
Breaking Down Bureaucratic Barriers in Mexico
Health Sector Decentralization in the DRC

Learn more about our Innovations in Governance Series