Local Service Provision in Selected OECD Countries: Do Decentralized Operations Work Better?
March 1, 2008
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Summary
There is a widespread presumption that decentralization improves public service provision. This has led to policy prescriptions that are assiduously adhered to by countries and international. This paper reviews the recent evidence from OECD countries-which is seen to be inconclusive. This suggests the need for a careful design of programs that take into account the political economy constraints and incentives, as well as more systematic and thorough evaluations of outcomes.
Subject: Education, Education spending, Expenditure, Fiscal federalism, Health care
Keywords: central government, decentralization index, fiscal decentralization, OECD country, unitary state, WP
Pages:
35
Volume:
2008
DOI:
Issue:
067
Series:
Working Paper No. 2008/067
Stock No:
WPIEA2008067
ISBN:
9781451869293
ISSN:
1018-5941
