Importance Of Decentralization

Executive Summary
Decentralization is a popular theme of the modern world. It is being widely accepted as a symbol of good governance and political modernization as well as an indicator of the quality of democratic process. Indeed, a democracy works when all people including the most marginalized ones participate in the process of governance, have capability to ask questions and seek accountability. For Third World countries, it is an indispensable pre-condition for social, economic and political development, stability and national unity.
The distributional impact of decentralization, notably on the poor, ultimately depends on the specific design and implementation in a given country context. The decentralization of public resources, officials,

Decentralization could also be expected to contribute to key elements of good governance, such as increasing people's opportunities for participation in economic, social and political decisions; assisting in developing people's capacities; and enhancing government responsiveness, transparency and accountability.”(UNDP, September

There are two main factors that contribute towards the growing popularity of decentralization since the 1990s;
a. The global democratic expansion. b. Belief in the technical efficiency of decentralization.
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Over the last two decades, an increasing number of countries have made efforts to decentralize government services, particularly health & population programs. According to many scholars, decentralization has evolved as a result of:
a. A global trend towards local autonomy and self governance, and the tendency to reduce reliance on centralized planning of economies and be more responsive to local needs. b. Countries receiving international assistance have also been pressured by donors like Germany and the United States to improve the delivery of public services in terms of responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency through decentralization. c. A realization that centrally administered programs do not always provide for effective program delivery at the local level, as they do not consider local needs.
After Pakistan got independence from the British raj in 1947, following developments regarding the Local Governments took place in the country:

1. Basic Democracies