The Architecture of Government

Political decentralization is often hailed as a means to enhance governance and economic outcomes by bringing government closer to citizens and fostering local engagement. However, this book critically analyzes the foundational arguments supporting this belief, employing logical analysis and formal modeling. Through various examples and a review of empirical studies, it reveals that many claims about decentralization rely on vague intuitions and lack robust evidence, leading to inconclusive and conflicting findings in practice.