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Public Administration vocabulary · Government Structure

Decentralization

Meaning in public administration, with examples

/diːˌsentrəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/nounCommon term

In public administration, decentralization means: The transfer of powers, responsibilities and resources from central government to regional or local bodies, so that decisions are made closer to the people affected.

In Turkish: yerinden yönetim, ademi merkeziyet, yetki devri

How it is used

Common in reform programmes and academic texts. Scholars distinguish administrative, fiscal and political decentralization. Governments pursue, promote or reverse decentralization; the opposite process is centralization.

Example sentences

  1. Supporters of decentralization argue that local bodies understand local needs better.

  2. Fiscal decentralization gave municipalities more control over their own revenue.

Common collocations

  • fiscal decentralization
  • administrative decentralization
  • promote decentralization
  • decentralization reform
  • central governmentThe national level of government, including the ministries and agencies based in the capital, as opposed to regional and local authorities.
  • local governmentThe system of elected councils and their administrations that run services for a city, town or region, such as waste collection, local roads and parks.
  • delegation of authorityThe formal transfer of the power to make certain decisions from a senior official to a more junior one or to another unit, usually in writing and within set limits.
  • governanceThe whole system of rules, institutions and relationships through which decisions are made and power is exercised, including how government works with citizens, business and civil society.

More terms: Government Structure

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