Decentralisation and the Management of Ethnic Conflict

Decentralisation and the Management of Ethnic Conflict PDF Author: Aisling Lyon
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317372042
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Book Description
Ethnic inequalities in divided societies can exacerbate social divisions and lead to conflict. Reducing these inequalities could have a de-escalating effect, yet there is little consensus on how this can be achieved most effectively and sustainably. Decentralisation is held to improve inter-ethnic relations in multi-ethnic states by allowing territorially concentrated groups greater autonomy over their own affairs, and the case of the Republic of Macedonia offers an example of the successes and failings of decentralisation. Decentralisation and the Management of Ethnic Conflict offers new insight into the dynamics of conflict management through decentralisation, using an in-depth case study of decentralisation in the Republic of Macedonia between 2005 and 2012. Guided by the concept of horizontal inequalities, the volume identifies the factors which influenced the decision to devolve responsibilities to the municipalities after 2001.Taking an integrative approach to studying the political, administrative, and fiscal dimensions of decentralisation and its implementation, the book investigates whether these institutional reforms have indeed contributed to the reduction of inequalities between Macedonia’s ethnic groups, and what the obstacles were in those areas in which decentralisation has not reached its full potential. The key lesson of the Macedonian case is that attempts to solve internal self-determination conflicts through decentralisation will fail if local self-governance exists only in form but not in substance. This book contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the challenges facing different forms of decentralisation in the long term, and as such represents a significant contribution to Conflict Studies, Development Studies and Political Science more generally.

Decentralisation and the Management of Ethnic Conflict

Decentralisation and the Management of Ethnic Conflict PDF Author: Aisling Lyon
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317372042
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 270

Get Book

Book Description
Ethnic inequalities in divided societies can exacerbate social divisions and lead to conflict. Reducing these inequalities could have a de-escalating effect, yet there is little consensus on how this can be achieved most effectively and sustainably. Decentralisation is held to improve inter-ethnic relations in multi-ethnic states by allowing territorially concentrated groups greater autonomy over their own affairs, and the case of the Republic of Macedonia offers an example of the successes and failings of decentralisation. Decentralisation and the Management of Ethnic Conflict offers new insight into the dynamics of conflict management through decentralisation, using an in-depth case study of decentralisation in the Republic of Macedonia between 2005 and 2012. Guided by the concept of horizontal inequalities, the volume identifies the factors which influenced the decision to devolve responsibilities to the municipalities after 2001.Taking an integrative approach to studying the political, administrative, and fiscal dimensions of decentralisation and its implementation, the book investigates whether these institutional reforms have indeed contributed to the reduction of inequalities between Macedonia’s ethnic groups, and what the obstacles were in those areas in which decentralisation has not reached its full potential. The key lesson of the Macedonian case is that attempts to solve internal self-determination conflicts through decentralisation will fail if local self-governance exists only in form but not in substance. This book contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the challenges facing different forms of decentralisation in the long term, and as such represents a significant contribution to Conflict Studies, Development Studies and Political Science more generally.

Peace by Design

Peace by Design PDF Author: Dawn Brancati
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191615226
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 307

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Book Description
Why does political decentralization seem reduce intrastate conflict more in some countries than in others? This question constitutes the central focus of Peace by Design. Brancati argues that the ability of decentralization to reduce intrastate conflict hinges on the electoral strength of regional parties. According to Brancati, regional parties tend to promote intrastate conflict by creating regional identities, advocating legislation harmful to other regions and regional minorities, and mobilizing groups to engage in conflict or supporting extremist organizations that do. Brancati also highlights a number of conditions under which regional parties are more likely to promote conflict, such as democratic transitions. Brancati further argues that decentralization increases the strength of regional parties depending on particular features of decentralization (i.e., the proportion of legislative seats a region possesses, the number of regional legislatures in a country, the upper house election procedures, the sequencing of national and regional elections). These features of decentralization vary across countries and are fundamental to explaining why decentralization is not effective in reducing conflict in all countries. Brancati's ultimate conclusion is that decentralization can be effectively designed to promote peace, as long as it is designed to encourage statewide parties to incorporate regional parties into their agendas and to limit the strength of regional parties. The author provides compelling evidence for her argument through three detailed cases studies (e.g., Czechoslovakia, Spain, and India) and a rigorous quantitative analysis in which she introduces a new dataset on constituency-level elections that will prove an invaluable resource for many future studies.

Politics of Ethnic Accommodation

Politics of Ethnic Accommodation PDF Author: Lenhard Hamza
Publisher: LIT Verlag
ISBN: 3643962258
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Book Description
This book uses a unique and innovative way to show the benefits and perils of decentralization as a mechanism to solve internal ethnic conflicts. It explores how administrative, fiscal, and political dimensions of decentralization have affected the process of ethnic minorities' accommodation in Kosovo. It provides analysis and answers on how decentralization has reduced the chances of a conflict. It also critically examines the impact of the agreement for establishing the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities on decentralization and the overall governance system of Kosovo. Lenhard Hamza is an independent political scientist engaged in international development cooperation. He uses his fieldwork to research and create new ways of thinking on Decentralization and Local Governance in theory and practice.

The Territorial Management of Ethnic Conflict

The Territorial Management of Ethnic Conflict PDF Author: John Coakley
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135764417
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 414

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Book Description
The object of this book is to look at the manner in which states attempt to cope with ethnic conflict through territorial approaches. This revised edition has new chapters covering Northern Ireland, South Africa and Yugoslavia.

Explaining & Managing Ethnic Conflict in Africa

Explaining & Managing Ethnic Conflict in Africa PDF Author: Adele Jinadu
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Africa, Sub-Saharan
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Book Description


Ethnicity, Institutions of Governance, and Conflict Avoidance

Ethnicity, Institutions of Governance, and Conflict Avoidance PDF Author: Mwangi S. Kimenyi
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Africa
Languages : en
Pages : 46

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Book Description


Handbook on Decentralization, Devolution and the State

Handbook on Decentralization, Devolution and the State PDF Author: Lago, Ignacio
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1839103280
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
Taking a multidisciplinary approach to the dynamics of political and economic decentralization in contemporary regimes, this comprehensive Handbook offers a critical examination of how the decentralization of governance affects citizen well-being.

Decentralisation in Africa

Decentralisation in Africa PDF Author: Gordon Crawford
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
ISBN: 9053569340
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
'Decentralisation in Afrika' is een sobere beoordeling van wat decentralisatie precies kan bereiken. Decentralisatie van overheden in Afrikaanse landen en elders in de derde wereld krijgt de laatste tijd een impuls, vaak gedreven door Multilaterale en bilaterale instanties (de 'donoren'). Maar worden de voordelen hiervan wel gerealiseerd? In dit boek worden vraagtekens gezet bij de kwestie of decentralisatie wel een gunstige uitweg biedt voor de armoede en het conflict in Afrika.

The Political Economy of Democratic Decentralization

The Political Economy of Democratic Decentralization PDF Author: James Manor
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
Nearly all countries worldwide are now experimenting with decentralization. Their motivation are diverse. Many countries are decentralizing because they believe this can help stimulate economic growth or reduce rural poverty, goals central government interventions have failed to achieve. Some countries see it as a way to strengthen civil society and deepen democracy. Some perceive it as a way to off-load expensive responsibilities onto lower level governments. Thus, decentralization is seen as a solution to many different kinds of problems. This report examines the origins and implications decentralization from a political economy perspective, with a focus on its promise and limitations. It explores why countries have often chosen not to decentralize, even when evidence suggests that doing so would be in the interests of the government. It seeks to explain why since the early 1980s many countries have undertaken some form of decentralization. This report also evaluates the evidence to understand where decentralization has considerable promise and where it does not. It identifies conditions needed for decentralization to succeed. It identifies the ways in which decentralization can promote rural development. And it names the goals which decentralization will probably not help achieve.

Decentralization and Development of Sri Lanka Within a Unitary State

Decentralization and Development of Sri Lanka Within a Unitary State PDF Author: N.S. Cooray
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811042594
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 364

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Book Description
This comprehensive volume provides uniquely diverse insights into various aspects of decentralization and development from both developed and developing countries, with special reference to Sri Lanka. For a quarter century, Sri Lanka was battered by its prolonged civil war, which ended in 2009, but has now achieved relative peace and stability. Having developed rapidly, Sri Lanka offers a classic example for developing countries. There is, however, a strong need, particularly in the context of postwar conflict, to formulate policies for reconciliation, peace building, and development at all levels—local, provincial, and national. Decentralization itself is not a new subject; however, how to devolve power to local administrative levels within a unitary system and how to link the devolved power to make local administrative systems more conducive to development and provide better services for citizens are challenging tasks in many countries. Taking into account the developmental, governance, and conciliatory needs and the sensitivity of central–local relations, this volume critically examines the local government systems in Sri Lanka. It also proposes a viable, effective and autonomous local-level administrative unit based, which draws on experiences from Japan and other countries, and identifies the role and functions of such a unit. The book presents commissioned papers from a three-year research project undertaken by internationally respected experts with financial support by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) under a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research.