Commonwealth Local Government Forum

Local democracy

This section contains information relating to all aspects of lcoal democracy and good governance at the local level. The Commonwealth principles on good practice for local democracy and good governance - known as the Aberdeen Agenda - which have been adopted by all CLGF members and are incorporated in the Commonwealth Charter, set the framework for the promotion of local democracy in the Commonwealth. The materials in this section relate to the constitutional and legal provisions for local government and include a range of studies, policy and training materials on local elections, leadership, community participation, representative local government, local government management and partnerships between local government and other key stakeholders such as traditional authorities.

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Decentralization as a Conflict-Resolution Mechanism on Kurdish Conflict in Turkey Panacea or Poison?

Decentralization is an effective conflict resolution mechanism widely used in the countries where ethnic conflicts are experienced. However, the success chance of decentralization is highly dependent on country-specific conditions. In the light of existing theoretical considerations, this study explores the use of decentralization as a conflict resolution mechanism on Kurdish Conflict in Turkey. The research question of "To what extent can decentralization be utilized as a conflict resolution mechanism on Kurdish Conflict in Turkey?" is designed to explore the capacity of decentralization to bring peace in Kurdish Conflict through qualitative content analysis and case study approach. The analysis is constructed in the framework of two theoretical concepts, which are decentralization and conflict resolution, in order to obtain a better insight to the role of decentralization on the solution of Kurdish Conflict. Accordingly, the first part of the analysis focuses the benefits of decentralization, which provide legitimacy and effectiveness in the local governance, with an emphasis on the differences between the national and Council of Europe legislation while the second part examines on the capacity of decentralization to answer the triggers of Kurdish Conflict. Thus, it is mainly aimed to identify the possible benefits of an ideal decentralization model to be used for the resolution of Kurdish Conflict with reference to the existing problems which exacerbates the conflict due to the lack of legitimacy and effectiveness in the governance. On the basis of conducted analysis, this thesis reveals that decentralization as a conflict resolution mechanism can be used on Kurdish Conflict as an alternative and peaceful model across security-based measurements when an appropriate design is provided. However, institutional design of decentralization and regional dynamics in the Middle East can be considered as possible threats in terms of the success of an ideal decentralization model.

Author: Berfin Çakin Publisher: University of Twente Publication year: 2018


Bad Governance and Corruption

Author: Richard Rose and Caryn Peiffer Publisher: Springer Publication year: 2018


The New Statutory Civil Service in the Maldives: Towards a Decentralized Human Resource Management Model?

The Civil Service Act of 2007 was a significant enactment of reform in the island nation of the Maldives. It was part of the constitutional changes that the nation embarked on starting in 2003, which resulted in a new constitution leading to the country’s first multiparty elections for president and parliament. The initial focus of civil service reform in the Maldives was to change from a personalistic, patronage-driven system of public employment to a meritocratic employment system largely removed from the direct control of the elected government. Reforming the traditional centralized governance modalities was not the focus at that stage. The adopted civil service model was thus a continuation of a tradition of centralized governance through a statutory commission mandated with the overall human resource management of the civil service.

Author: Mohamed Faizal and Rob Laking Publisher: Springer Publication year: 2018


The Administrative System in Bangladesh: Reform Initiatives with Failed Outcomes

The main objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the administrative structure of Bangladesh, highlighting the history of key administrative-reform attempts, New Public Management (NPM), and major trends in the country’s system of administration. Based on a review of secondary material, the findings of this paper suggest that several reform initiatives have been adopted by successive governments to streamline the administrative system, but that regrettably, most of them have not been implemented. Most importantly, reforms targeting the installation of different principles of NPM in the administrative system have not been successful. Due to these failures, Bangladesh’s administrative system still displays a high degree of politicization, bureaucratic dominance, incapacity—institutionally, technically, administratively—a chaotic political situation, and deteriorating law and order. NPM reforms are a dire necessity, for they could help the country overcome these features of poor governance. To implement NPM reforms, strong political leadership is required—one capable of building a solid institutional framework, sound rule of law, a proper control structure, and an effective civil service system. Otherwise, the ineffective administrative system could continue to hinder the process of overall development in the country.

Author: The Administrative System in Bangladesh: Reform Initiatives with Failed Outcomes Publisher: Civil Service Management and Administrative Systems in South Asia Publication year: 2018


Supporting local government associations: creating value for member councils in Queensland Australia

Local Government Associations play a vital role in not only representing their constituent Councils, but also sharing best practice and knowledge. The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), with its 77 local government members, is no exception. Membership is voluntary and the Association is proud of its coverage and is determined to preserve it.

Author: Microsoft Publisher: Microsoft Publication year: 2018


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