Local Government and Fiscal Transfers: Enhancing or Weakening Democracy?

Drawing on eleven country case studies from Europe, Asia, and Africa, this book examines the extent to which local governments are affected with the risks connected with intergovernmental fiscal transfers. This open access book analyses whether and to what extent fiscal transfers from central to local governments affect democracy at sub-national level. Fiscal transfers are often perceived to undermine democracy, as politicians utilise them to build patronage networks, weaken opposition candidates, and reward local governments that support them. On the other hand, others have argued that fiscal transfers serve to improve local governance, increase transparency, reduce corruption, and promote democracy. Drawing on eleven country case studies from Europe, Asia, and Africa, this book examines the extent to which local governments are affected with the risks connected with intergovernmental fiscal transfers. It will appeal to all those interested in public administration, public finance studies, and public policy. Juraj Nemec is Professor of Public Finance and Public Management at the Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University, Czech Republic and part-time Professor at the Faculty of Economics, Matej Bel University, Slovakia. Michal Plaček is Professor of Public Policy at Charles University, Czech Republic. Purshottama Sivanarain Reddy is Emeritus Professor at the School of Management, IT and Governance, University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. This open access book analyses whether and to what extent fiscal transfers from central to local governments affect democracy at sub-national level. Fiscal transfers are often perceived to undermine democracy, as politicians utilise them to build patronage networks, weaken opposition candidates, and reward local governments that support them. On the other hand, others have argued that fiscal transfers serve to improve local governance, increase transparency, reduce corruption, and promote democracy. Drawing on eleven country case studies from Europe, Asia, and Africa, this book examines the extent to which local governments are affected with the risks connected with intergovernmental fiscal transfers. It will appeal to all those interested in public administration, public finance studies, and public policy.