Capacity of Local Governments in Europe

This book compares local self-government in Europe.It examineslocal institutional structures,autonomy,and capacitiesin six selected countries - France, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, and the United Kingdom - each of which representsa typicalmodel of European local government. Within Europe, an overall trend towards morelocal government capacities and autonomycan be identified, but there are alsosome counter tendencies to this trend and major differences regarding local politico-administrative settings, functional responsibilities, and resources. The book demonstrates that acertain degree oflocalfinancial autonomyandfiscal discretionisnecessary foreffectiveserviceprovision.Furthermore,a robustlocalorganization,viable territorial structures, a professional public service, strong local leadership, and well-functioning tools of democratic participation are key aspects for local governments to effectively fulfill their tasks and ensure political accountability.The book will appealto students and scholars ofPublicAdministration andPublicManagement, as well as practitionersand policy-makers at different levels of government, in public enterprises, and in NGOs.