DRG Learning Agenda Findings: Decentralized Governance and Accountability

USAID’s Center of Excellence in Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) has commissioned a forthcoming edited volume on decentralized governance and accountability. This publication, summarized in this infographic, was commissioned by USAID in partnership with the National Opinion Research Center.  In the volume, scholars from eight prominent U.S. universities explore accountability, participation, policy outcomes, and other critical issues. This research shows that understanding local contexts is crucial, as decentralization can have negative or positive effects on governance. In particular, decentralization is more likely to improve governance where competitive elections, a robust media, an active civil society, and sufficient resources and capacities are already in place.