Rethinking Decentralization in the Unitary States

Deconcentration – Decentralization
◦ Cheema & Rondinelli (2007): the relationship
between deconcentration and devolution should not be
seen as a dichotomy or as mutually exclusive, but
rather can best be understood as a matrix of
relationships.
◦ FAO (2006): deconcentration and decentralization, far
from replacing each other, have always been
considered as complimentary by political decision
makers.
◦ Cummings (1995): the question of centralization or
decentralization is simply a matter of proportion; it is a
matter of finding the optimum degree for the
particular concern.
◦ UNDP (1999): Decentralization is not an alternative to
centralization. Both are needed.
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