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How close is your government to its people? Worldwide indicators on localization and decentralization

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  • Ivanyna, Maksym
  • Shah, Anwar

Abstract

This paper provides a unique data set on local governance. This dataset measures government decisionmaking at the local level, i.e. the level of government closest to the people. By contrast, the existing literature has focused on decisionmaking at the sub-national level. The data set covers 182 countries, and it captures institutional dimensions of political, fiscal and administrative autonomy enjoyed by local governments. These dimensions are then aggregated to develop a decentralization index and are then adjusted for heterogeneity to develop a government closeness index.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivanyna, Maksym & Shah, Anwar, 2014. "How close is your government to its people? Worldwide indicators on localization and decentralization," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy, vol. 8, pages 1-61.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifweej:20143
    DOI: 10.5018/economics-ejournal.ja.2014-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maksym Ivanyna & Anwar Shah, 2011. "Citizen-centric Governance Indicators: Measuring and Monitoring Governance by Listening to the People," CESifo Forum, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 12(01), pages 59-71, March.
    2. repec:wbk:wbpubs:7192 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Fan, C. Simon & Lin, Chen & Treisman, Daniel, 2009. "Political decentralization and corruption: Evidence from around the world," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(1-2), pages 14-34, February.
    4. Maksym Ivanyna & Anwar Shah, 2011. "Decentralization and Corruption: New Cross-Country Evidence," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 29(2), pages 344-362, April.
    5. repec:wbk:wbpubs:6453 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H10 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - General
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H83 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Public Administration
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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