Political Elites And Decentralization Reforms In The Post-Socialist Balkans: Regional Patronage Networks In Serbia And Croatia
by Alexander Kleibrink /
2015 / English / PDF
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Existing explanations of why political elites agree to devolve powers to lower levels of government do not pay sufficient attention to the uncertain implications such reforms have on the distribution of critical resources. How national and regional political elites deal with this uncertainty and its associated distributional consequences greatly influences the direction decentralization reforms take. In order to understand varying outcomes of decentralization reforms in transition states, this book develops a resource-dependent approach adapted from organization studies; it acknowledges the power-seeking nature of political elites. They are more likely to strike an agreement on decentralization reforms when their share of future patronage resources is certain. This book's analysis makes a strong argument for a more cautious donor policy that often rather ingeniously supports decentralization.
