What We Mean When We Say… Decentralization in the Service of Social Justice Cover Image

Na šta mislimo kada kažemo… Decentralizacija u službi društvene pravde
What We Mean When We Say… Decentralization in the Service of Social Justice

Author(s): Aleksandar Marinković, Novak Gajić
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Governance, Government/Political systems, Electoral systems
Published by: Institut za filozofiju i društvenu teoriju
Keywords: decentralization; social justice; local self-government; public service delivery; fiscal decentralization; education and social policy; governance reform
Summary/Abstract: This policy paper looks at the potential of decentralization to contribute to social justice, via an analysis of three highly centralized areas of social development in Serbia – education, healthcare, and social protection. The text provides a comparative examination of levels of political, administrative and fiscal decentralization in similar European countries. It further identifies areas and topics where greater decentralization would make practical sense, as well as the level of such decentralization, having in mind not only the current allocation and financing of competencies and functions, but also the capacity of local authorities for adopting new ones. The paper provides concrete proposals for midterm decentralization, not only through amending institutional and legal framework, but also through strengthening local self-government capacities for successful implementation of newly decentralized functions and competencies.

  • Print-ISBN-13: 978-86-82324-32-4
  • Page Count: 24
  • Publication Year: 2023
  • Language: Serbian
Toggle Accessibility Mode