The Capacity of Local Governments in Europe: Autonomy, Responsibilities and Reforms (Governance and Public Management)

This book compares local self-government in Europe. It examines local institutional structures, autonomy, and capacities in six selected countries - France, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, and the United Kingdom - each of which represents a typical model of European local government. Within Europe, an overall trend towards more local government capacities and autonomy can be identified, but there are also some counter tendencies to this trend and major differences regarding local politico-administrative settings, functional responsibilities, and resources. The book demonstrates that a certain degree of local financial autonomy and fiscal discretion is necessary for effective service provision. Furthermore, a robust local organization, viable territorial structures, a professional public service, strong local leadership, and well-functioning tools of democratic participation are key aspects for local governments to effectively fulfill their tasks and ensure political accountability. The book will appeal to students and scholars of Public Administration and Public Management, as well as practitioners and policy-makers at different levels of government, in public enterprises, and in NGOs. Sabine Kuhlmann is Professor of Political Science, Public Administration and Organization at the University of Potsdam, Germany. Benoit Paul Dumas is Research Associate at the Chair for Political Science, Public Administration and Organization at the University of Potsdam, Germany. Moritz Heuberger is Research Associate at the Chair for Political Science, Public Administration and Organization at the University of Potsdam, Germany. Contents 7 List of Figures 9 List of Tables 10 Chapter 1: Introduction 11 Chapter 2: Comparison of the Role of Local Governments in Europe: Autonomy, Self-Government, Local Democracy 17 2.1 Comparison of European Administrative Models 19 2.2 Conceptual Framework: Dimensions for Comparing Local Governments’ Capacities 24 2.3 Local Autonomy 26 2.4 Functional Responsibilities 30 2.5 Intergovernmental Relations 45 2.6 Territorial Profile 48 2.7 Political Profile 52 2.8 Conclusion 57 Bibliography 59 Chapter 3: Local Government Finances 66 3.1 European Models of Local Government Finance: Funding Sources and Volume of Expenditures 68 3.2 Role of European Structural Funds 73 3.3 Conclusion 78 Bibliography 79 Chapter 4: Reform Trends 81 4.1 Reform Discourses in Recent Decades 82 4.2 Recentralisation and Decentralisation 84 4.3 Territorial Reform 90 4.4 New Public Management and Privatisation 96 4.5 Post-New Public Management: Remunicipalisation 102 4.6 Conclusion: Diffusion and Convergence of Reform Models 104 Bibliography 107 Chapter 5: Conclusions 115 Bibliography 125 Annex 127 Bibliography 129