Publisher's Synopsis
This book deals with the increasing importance of local and regional development in the realization of growth, redistribution and empowerment in developing countries of Eastern and Southern Africa. The book underlines the critical role of decentralization and regionalization as indispensable components of the process of political and economic liberalization in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in localizing democracy and empowering the populations. The book reiterates the crucial role of local autonomy (political and financial), local resource mobilization, technology development, human resource development and the emerging role of the private sector and the community organizations and NGOs in local and regional development. A strong case is made by the authors for giving priority to rural and agricultural development, promotion of small towns and strong rural?urban linkages, greater attention to the needs of the peripheral and marginal groups and areas and focused attention to local capacity building.
