The Bolivian Decentralization Process and the Role of Municipal Associations

Arbeitspapier

This discussion paper looks at the Bolivian decentralization model. The objective of Bolivian decentralization is to consolidate the process of popular participation, and to promote regional economic development by means of a more equitable distribution of national income and improved administration of public resources. The legal framework of Bolivian decentralization is established by two principled laws; firstly, the LPP, defines decentralization on the municipal level and represents a new dimension of governmental reform, creating an important link between the state and civil society. Second, the Law of Administrative decentralization (LAD-adm) organizes the structure of the executive power in each Department so as to underpin administrative decentralization. Overall the decentralization process in Bolivia can be seen as an important step towards restructuring the old centralized state into a more democratic one. However, as the social uprising and protests which took place in October 2003 show, the decentralization laws alone didn?t solve the economic and social problems in Bolivia.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: HWWA Discussion Paper ; No. 271

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations: General ; Development Planning and Policy: General ; Economywide Country Studies: Latin America; Caribbean
• Subject: Decentralization ; Poverty Reduction ; Bolivia ; Dezentralisierung ; Kommunale Selbstverwaltung ; Bürgerbeteiligung ; Armutspolitik ; Bolivien

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Seemann, Miriam
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWA)
• (where): Hamburg
• (when): 2004

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/19243
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET