Restructuring Local Government Finance in Developing Countries

从南非的教训

Studies in Fiscal Federalism and State-local Finance series

Edited by Roy Bahl, Professor Emeritus, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, US and Professor Extraordinarius, University of Pretoria, South Africa and Paul Smoke, Professor and Director, International Programs, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University, US

Examining cutting-edge issues of international relevance in the ongoing redesign of the South African local government fiscal system, the contributors to this volume analyze the major changes that have taken place since the demise of apartheid. The 1996 Constitution and subsequent legislation dramatically redefined the public sector, mandating the development of democratic local governments empowered to provide a wide variety of key public services. However, the definition and implementation of new local functions and the supporting democratic decision-making and managerial capabilities are emerging more slowly than expected. Some difficult choices and challenges commonly faced by developing countries must be dealt with before the system can evolve to more effectively meet the substantial role envisioned for local governments.