Comparative conclusions

Abstract

This chapter draws comparative conclusion about the role and place of local governments in 16 federal or federal-type countries and explores their relationship with the other orders of government and their impact on the system of federalism as a whole. It seeks to answer the overall question of whether the growth of local government with relative autonomy is changing the shape of federal systems. Local government is increasingly seen as part of the state formation; its status is evolving. In some countries, local government is seen as an integral part of the federated state and recognised as such in the federal constitution. Discrete areas of autonomous decision-making in policy and finances are also emerging. In other countries where the traditional subservient position of local governments to state governments is maintained, and financial self-reliance is leading to greater policy autonomy. The recognition of local government as an order of government-often with direct engagement with the federal government-is the most pronounced in metropolitan governments and in fiscal relations.