Decentralization, Democracy and Development EDMUND S. TAYAO Executive Director, Local Government Development Foundation (LOGODEF) Department of Political Science, University of Santo Tomas Manila, Philippines

Systemic Way to Sustainable Development Systematize Governance more than empower people Significant role of Local Governments as frontline governance agencies Decentralization, key element in Reinventing Government Graduate from Principle to Functional Subsidiarity

Globalization, Democratization and the State Globalization is as much political as economic There could be as much Gains as Losses Stability dependent on Institutions not on Leaders

Freedom rising amid new era of Globalization and Democratization New Political and Economic Environment and Changed Nature of the State Simultaneous work on State-making and Development

Erratic Freedom for some States

“Closed”/Authoritarian States on the Left Steep Curve Consolidated Democracies on the Right Openness Stability

Democracy is Finding the Right Mix Resilient State Structures but Participative and Accountable Reforms inevitably means more substantial role for local governments Decentralization is key element in Democratic Consolidation

Dilute Power and Undermine Authoritarianism's Resource Bases 5 Broad Reasons How Local Government Can Improve Democracy Helps to develop democratic values and skills among citizens; Increases accountability and Responsiveness; Improves representativeness of democracy; Enhances Checks and Balances; Provides Opportunities for Parties and Factions in Opposition at the center to exercise some measure of political power.

The Principle of Subsidiarity Quoting the Maastricht Treaty- Subsidiarity enjoins the institutions of the Community to act in areas of concurrent competence "only if and insofar as the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States.” According to the principle, the Community institutions should refrain from acting, even when constitutionally permitted to do so, if their objectives could effectively be served by action taken at or below the Member State level.

Development as Freedom The wherewithal to exercise Freedom Real problems are Social Sector issues Decentralization is Local Centers of Governance Universal as Concept not as Model Importance of Public Goods and Significance of Interlocal Cooperation

Why talk about Principles? A long overdue call for reform (call started as early as 1965 and we’re still talking) A long overdue call for reform (call started as early as 1965 and we’re still talking) The need for an overhaul considering especially that what we have is a ‘captured state’ The need for an overhaul considering especially that what we have is a ‘captured state’ Question of direction, more important is the question of ‘how?’ (the need for real revolution and not of restoration) Question of direction, more important is the question of ‘how?’ (the need for real revolution and not of restoration)

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