Decentralization and the Struggle for Municipal Autonomy Local Power Decentralization and the Struggle for Municipal Autonomy

Waves of Democracy & Reverse Waves of Authoritarianism First long wave 1828 – 1926 First reverse wave 1922 – 1944 Second short wave 1943-1964 Second reverse wave 1962-1975

Latin America: Third Wave breaks in 1980’s Different democratic “rules of the game” What difference has “Third Wave Democracy” made for how local governments function?

Origin of Latin American Cities Amerindian capitals Conquest and city systems Primate city systems Continental city systems Recent modifications Brasilia Ciudad Guyana Ciudad Lazaro Cardenas

Institutional Structure of Latin American Municipalities I Geopolitical unit – similar to counties in the U.S. Executive power Mayors (usually presidential model) Parliamentary model Bureaucracy Legislative – Municipal Councils

Institutional Structure of Latin American Municipalities II Municipal Bureaucracy Traffic Road maintenance Fire National bureaucracy . Major infrastructural investment Rapid transit & freeways Housing Hospitals Police

Institutional Structure of Latin American Municipalities III Judicial – local traffic courts Zoning violations Neighborhood Councils

Financial Powers of Municipal Governments Traditional municipal taxes Right of “front” Lotteries Situado constitucional New powers to tax in the “Third Wave” Political limitations on new powers

The Future Will the tradition of centralism may reassert itself? Political Culture changes slowly Charismatic leaders resist the checks provided by municipal governments (Venezuela under Chavez) Centralism may be retained to constrain break- away tendencies (Bolivia – Santa Cruz)