The Political Economy of Local Government

The Political Economy of Local Government
Author: Brian Dollery
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2001-01-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9781782541165

A study of local government policy formulation, drawing on developments in economics - such as new institutional economics - and advances in the theories of social capital and leadership. The authors also examine rival minimalist and activist approaches to local government reform.

The Challenge of Local Government Size

The Challenge of Local Government Size
Author: Santiago Lago-PeƱas
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 305
Release: 2013-07-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1782544305

In the efficient delivery of local public services, size matters. Many countries around the world have vertical government structures that are perceived as inefficient because of their high levels of jurisdictional fragmentation. This timely volume examines the different strategies used to address local government fragmentation and their observed results and consequences. Expert contributors in economics and political science offer a comprehensive breakdown of the issue of local jurisdiction fragmentation and provide recommendations for successful policy reform. Topics discussed include economies of scale, the costs and benefits of voluntary and forced amalgamation programs, the correlation between government size and corruption, privatization, and inter-municipal cooperation. A combination of theory and empirical evidence provides depth and makes this book an invaluable addition to the literature. Economists, public administrators and political scientists will find much of interest in this innovative volume, as will professors, students and international institutions with an interest in local government structure and reform.

The Role of Local Government in Economic Development

The Role of Local Government in Economic Development
Author: Jonathan Q. Morgan
Publisher: Unc School of Government
Total Pages: 21
Release: 2009
Genre: Economic development
ISBN: 9781560116127

This report discusses the findings from a mail survey of local government economic development activities that was sent to all 540 municipalities and 100 counties in North Carolina. An important part of the analysis examines whether cities and counties differ significantly in their economic development efforts and whether smaller jurisdictions employ different types of development strategies and tools than larger ones. The survey findings also highlight the barriers that local governments face in promoting economic development and identify important technical assistance needs and gaps in local capacity.