Widmalm S. Decentralisation, Corruption and Social Capital

Paperback. - USA: California, SAGE Publications Ltd., 2008. - 231 p.Can decentralization reduce a democratic deficit? Can decentralization make public administration more efficient and act as a safeguard against corruption? What can we learn from India s experience from its extensive decentralization reforms so far? In this book, Sten Widmalm adopts comparative and empirical approaches to examine how decentralization is connected to social capital and corruption. Using evidence from in-depth field studies in Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, and analyzing it against historical cases from around the world, he presents theoretical perspectives and policy suggestions. Widmalm s journey takes him to ancient Rome, Greece and India, as well as to the West, China, Latin America, and Russia of more recent times.List of Tables
List of Figures 9
AcknowledgementsWhat Do We Mean By Decentralisation?
A Historical and Conceptual Overview of Federalism’s Closest Cousin
Decentralisation in India: In Theory and Practice
Corruption and its Causes
Corruption in India
The Utility of Bonding Trust and a New Look at the Role of Social Capital in Development
Discussion: How Decentralisation, Corruption and Civil Society Connect
References
Index
About the Author