The place and role of local government in federal systems
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Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Abstract
South Africa has embarked on an important experiment of creating a
decentralised system of government comprising three spheres of government –
national, provincial and local. In comparison with international practice, local
government has been given considerable constitutional recognition. In many
respects South Africa is a leader in the emerging role that local government is
expected to play in entrenching democracy and promoting development.
South Africa is not, however, the only decentralised country in the world
that has embarked on this route of strengthening local government as a full
sphere of government. In the more recent constitutions of Spain, Brazil, India,
Nigeria and Switzerland, local government has been entrenched. But having
three spheres of government operating each with a degree of autonomy makes
for complex relationships. It may also impact on the effectiveness and efficiency
of government. These problems are shared by most decentralised countries.
The place and role of local government in federal systems were examined at
the annual conference of the International Association of Centers for Federal
Studies (IACFS). From 29 September to 3 October 2004, the Local Government
Project of the Community Law Centre, University of the Western Cape, hosted
the annual meeting of the IACFS. The conference, sponsored by the Democracy
Development Programme (DDP) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), was
held at Mont Fleur, Stellenbosch.
The conference was attended by 20 international delegates representing 14
IACFS member organisations from 11 different countries. Delegates were also
in attendance from South African organisations, including the Municipal
Demarcation Board, the DDP and KAS, the Palmer Development Group, and
the Drakenstein Municipality.
Description
Keywords
South Africa, Government, Decentralised country, Community Law Centre, Forum of Federation
Citation
Nico, Steytler. 2005. The place and role of local government in federal systems. KAS Occasional papers. KAS, Johannesburg.