Indonesia is currently facing some severe challenges, both in political affairs and in economic management. One of these challenges is the recently enacted decentralization program, now well underway, which promises to have some wide-ranging consequences. This edited volume presents original...

In spite of several decades of sustained growth, Pakistan remains in the company of "failed" states on account of its quality of governance. This paper presents an institutional framework for improving the quality of governance in Pakistan. This framework suggests that a major challenge facing...

This paper focuses on the role of local governments in bringing about fair, accountable, incoorruptible and responsive (FAIR) governance. Local governments around the world have done important innovations to earn the trust of their residents and their comparative performance is of great interest...

América Latina se está descentralizando. Cada vez más recursos y un mayor poder de decisión están pasando desde los gobiernos centrales hacia el nivel local. Este naciente panorama político, administrativo y fiscal genera nuevos retos y oportunidades para los gobiernos subnacionales, y...

During the past three decades, a large number of countries have introduced reforms to decentralize public decision making. Such reforms have proved controversial. Critics of these reforms argue that decentralized provision of infrastructure enhances vulnerability to corruption. Proponents of...

This study provides evidence from a laboratory experiment showing that managerial bonuses can affect adversely a manager’s subordinates. In our set up, managers compete to obtain a large bonus which depends partly on the effort exerted by their subordinates. Managers can suggest an effort...

We attempt to improve the understanding and measurement of decentralization and its relationship with corruption in a worldwide context. This is done by presenting the conceptual underpinnings of such a relationship as well as using more defensible measures of both decentralization in its...

The states in India have a predominant role in advancing human development and a co-equal role with the central government in the provision of economic services. The condition of states' fiscal health, therefore, determines both the nature and quality of economic growth in the country. With...

The paper describes and assesses intergovernmental fiscal relations in Indonesia and outlines options for reform. The discussion encompasses issues in all major aspects of fiscal relations between the national and subnational governments: expenditure assignment; tax assignment; intergovernmental...