The Local Alternative : Decentralization and Economic Development

This book offers a step forward in finding out how the new decentralized institutional arrangements affect local economic development. In particular, it analyzes how local governments can use their increasing powers and responsibilities to improve productivity and quality of life in their territories.

Decentralization in Latin America and the Caribbean has changed the region''s local development model. More resources and decision-making powers are being transferred from central governments to the local level. This new political, administrative, and fiscal landscape is creating new challenges and opportunities for subnational governments and for local economic development in the region. The Local Alternative offers a series of experiences, reflections, and lessons on how the new, decentralized institutional framework influences diverse aspects of the economic development processes at the local level. The book''s chapters-written by a variety of actors ranging from experts in international organizations to policymakers at the national and subnational levels-highlight, among other experiences, local management within a context of greater autonomy, experiments with different subnational transfer and financing systems, and alternatives for stimulating local competitiveness and citizen participation.