Answer to Question #221682 in Political Science for Biscaro

Question

Why is devolution regarded as the strongest, but the uncommon form of decentralization?

Answer 1

Devolution is the strongest or most powerful form of decentralization because by devolving functions, governments transfer all authority for management, decision-making and finance to quasi-autonomous units of local government with corporate status. It transfers responsibilities for services to jurisdictions that elect their own local representatives and councils, raise their own revenues and exercise independent mandate to make investment decisions. Local governments in a devolved setup have distinct and clearly recognized geographical boundaries over which they exercise authority and perform public functions.

Devolution is also the uncommon form of decentralization because it gives autonomy to local governments thus raising fears that the central authority will be too weakened and overshadowed by local governments as well as devolved units may actually lack the capacity to perform those independent functions thus reducing accountability and weakening institutions.