This presentation is about underlying philosophy on which concept of Local Self Governments is based. It examines Why of the Local Self Government Institutions.

1. Philosophy of Local
Government
CRIS Internal Workshop

2. Philosophy of Local
Government
Man gave up pastoral and nomadic living -
Some of social grouping or comm.living
-inevitable.
Out of social necessity and as a natural
expression of social living.
Confluence of two philosophical terms –
Self government - basic human instinct –
but like to live in community & to be governed by it
individual & group priorities –
an expression of one’s extended self.

3. Philosophy of Local
Government
Good government - local initiative and care -
consciously trying to maximize community
good.
Trade-off between ‘Self’ government and
‘Good’ government. Man foregoes ‘Self’
government in lieu of ‘good’ government.
LG- more ‘natural’ than ‘legal’, more ‘social’
than ‘political’ English countries pre-date their
national state; village Panchayats out lived
many dynasties.

4. Philosophy of Local
Government
Concept of local GovernmentMulti-dimensional concept.
Interactive process within the larger
social environment.
Social Dimension
basically a social entity evolving from the
feeling of convergence among local people
and feeling of divergence amongst local
areas.

5. Philosophy of Local
Government
Economic Dimension
Instrument of economic development -
economy need of division of labour.
L.G. - facilities - economic decentralization
makes economic planning need - based -
in absence - top heavy & insensitive.
Geographic Dimension
gives distinct personality.
Includes physical, demographic and the
economic features of the area.

6. Philosophy of Local
Government
Legal Dimension
Two fold character
public body - politic- organized entity -
Government character - Agent of State.
Private - body - corporate - & legal person
can be sued and sue.
Administration Dimension
an Administration Need - distance from
administration head quarter concept of
decentralization-Administration Connotations.

7. Philosophy of Local
Government
Administrative DimensionLocal Government constantly exposed to
gaze - from above and from below.
Can combine best or worst of two worlds.
Democratic - Responsible Performance
Administrative - Efficient performance.

8. Philosophy of Local
Government
Political DimensionMost important – but still unsettled –
no consensus about - is local
Government a self Government or
administration out post –
party based or party less democracy –
form of transfer of authority - delegation -
decentralization - deconcentration -
devolution.

9. Philosophy of Local
Government
Changing Role of Local
Government
Everything is changing
Changing process is still continuing
Phenomenological perspective
Local Government is a child of ecology -
environment Setting
All conditions do not change to the same
degree or at the same rate.

10. Philosophy of Local
Government
Changing Role of Local
Government
System of local government has not kept
pace Role of local Government was
conceived in the context of 19th century
liberalism - industrializing society.
We live - post - industrial society
Change is taking place - conceptual /
ideological level. - Operational or
functional level.

11. Philosophy of Local
Government
Changing Role of Local GovernmentInvert aspect & overt aspect.
Local government - government
relationship is changing.
Interdependence among various levels of
government has increased.
Contrasting government - partnership
Classical autonomy is going away -
interdependence & partnership - Agency
Role.

12. Philosophy of Local
Government
Changing Role of Local GovernmentIncreased sophistication
Centralized planning
participation of national political parties
Authoritative form of polity
Increased dependence on higher
government for technical & financial
assistance.

13. Philosophy of Local
Government
Changing Role of Local GovernmentRole of Development Partner - Administration
Subordinate - Expansion of Area of Operation
- increase in importance - reckoning of role -
74th amendment.
Functions (overt aspect) have increased
quantitatively & qualitatively.
Instrument for regulation & control - true for
both indigenous & colonial form of L.G.

14. Philosophy of Local
Government
Changing Role of Local GovernmentInstrument of economic and social change.
Man’s conception of minimum amenities has
undergone change - ‘revolution of rising
expectations’
Traditional Civic Services - highly complex,
sophisticated Tech., Huge financial outlay,
professional management.

15. Philosophy of Local
Government
Thank You