Description
Book SynopsisThe Theory and Practice of Local Government Reform explores the entire spectrum of local government reform and focuses specifically on the question of structural reform in local government. It presents new theoretical models in an area largely lacking in analytical foundations and assesses the validity of these models against recent structural developments.
Changes to local government are some of the most heartfelt and hotly contested political issues in advanced democracies today. The authors draw on recent policy developments in seven countries, as well as academic literature, to present new thinking on optimal municipal governance in the face of future policy challenges. This timely book will be invaluable for both undergraduate and graduate local government students in political science, public administration and public policy courses. Practitioners and policymakers in local government will also find this book an enlightening read.
Trade Review'This book substantially advances our knowledge of structural reform in local government. By combining new theoretical insight with policy developments in seven different developed countries, the book not only tests conceptual models against real-world experience in local government structural reform, but it also offers fresh perspectives on the most promising types of structural reform. Written by leading scholars from seven different countries, this book will become a standard work in the area of local government reform.' -- Andrew Worthington, Griffith University, Australia
'Structural reform has been one of the most important, and yet one of the most neglected, aspects of modern local government. This book represents the first attempt, since the early seventies, at providing a comprehensive account of both the theory and practice of structural reform in local government in developed countries. Using recent policy experience from seven different countries, the authors present seminal theoretical perspectives on structural reforms in local governance and the policy implications deriving from them. Written by well-known scholars of local government from around the world, this volume is a "must-read" for all academics, practitioners, students and policymakers.' -- Giorgio Brosio, University of Turin, Italy
Table of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Introduction Brian Dollery and Lorenzo Robotti PART I: THE THEORY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM 2. Local Government and the Economics of Federalism Brian Dollery and Lorenzo Robotti 3. Alternative Models of Local Government Brian Dollery and Lorenzo Robotti 4. Local Council Partnerships: A Theoretical Approach David Bartolini and Fabio Fiorillo 5. A Theoretical Model of Shared Service Arrangements in Local Government Antonio Palestrini and Paolo Polidori 6. Financial Incentives for Municipal Partnerships Fabio Fiorillo and Giancarlo Pola PART II: THE PRACTICE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM 7. Structural Reform in Australia Brian Dollery and Joel Byrnes 8. Structural Reform in Canada Andrew Sancton 9. Structural Reform in France Alain Guengant and Yvon Rocaboy 10. Structural Reform in Germany Thomas Lenk and Christine Falken-Großer 11. Structural Reform in Italy Barbara Ermini and Samuele Salvucci 12. Structural Reform in New Zealand Mike Reid 13. Structural Reform in Spain Núria Bosch and Javier Suárez Pandiello PART III: POLICY IMPLICATIONS 14. Common Themes on Structural Reform Fabio Fiorillo and Barbara Ermini 15. Local Government Policy Brian Dollery and Lorenzo Robotti References Index
