The decentralization paradox in Morocco

In this chapter in the Research Handbook on Democracy and Development (edited by Gordon Crawford and Abdul-Gafaru Abdulai and published by Edward Elgar Publishing), Dr Sylvia Bergh emphasizes the political economy drivers of decentralization reforms as the main explanations for the inconclusive evidence when it comes to local development.

The chapter, entitled 'Democratic decentralization and local development: insights from Morocco’s advanced regionalization process', discusses the decentralization paradox in Morocco and reviews the main characteristics of the decentralization reform process in terms of governance, finance and regional planning. It also highlights the relationship between decentralization and deconcentration reforms and argues that the latter significantly constrains the former's potential to make a positive impact on local development.

The chapter is open access - Download 'Democratic decentralization and local development: insights from Morocco’s advanced regionalization process'