Departmental Institutions and Decentralised Cooperation in Boyacá

José L. Niño Amezquita

doi:10.19053/01233769.4496

Abstract

The Colombian reality shows how subnational entities have been affected by a process of recentralisation since the beginning of the XXI century, and the weakening of intermediate entities in the decentralisation of the last century. However, these entities are seen as the linkage for territorial internationalization, an empty space that few municipalities have adopted and within which departments have hardly acted. Boyacá, a territory in the middle of the Andes, faces challenges that, until now, it has been unable to answer in the right way. The current document is based on primary data which analyses the cooperation from the department as well as the municipalities. Therefore, the internal dynamics and realities suggest that the solution may lie on the integration that Boyacá and its municipalities might have with inter-subnational peers. However, this is still a long path to walk for the Colombian territorial entities, especially in the Department of Boyacá.

Highlights

The Colombian reality shows how subnational entities have been affected by a process of recentralisation since the beginning of the XXI century, and the weakening of intermediate entities in the decentralisation of the last century
This article contextualises the Colombian reality and the impact that territorial legislation, coupled with policies aimed towards institutional strengthening, has had on new relations between territories and international actors
Territories took on a greater degree of autonomy, to the extent that Panama was granted independence at the beginning of the 20th century, under the presidency of Jose Manuel Marroquin (1900-1904). This was a result of international pressure, there already existed within Colombia a territorial reorganisation process that allowed for the division of large departments into smaller territories, which aimed to create a counterbalance which would favour the centre in its control over the peripheries (Fals-Borda, 1996)

Summary

Colombian Instability and fragmentation

Colombia has always been characterised by its fragmented territory, which as well as providing for a diverse cultural make-up, brings with it problems. Territories took on a greater degree of autonomy, to the extent that Panama was granted independence at the beginning of the 20th century, under the presidency of Jose Manuel Marroquin (1900-1904) This was a result of international pressure, there already existed within Colombia a territorial reorganisation process that allowed for the division of large departments into smaller territories, which aimed to create a counterbalance which would favour the centre in its control over the peripheries (Fals-Borda, 1996). Constitution, which had faded over time as a result of departmental weakening, poor use of resources by many municipalities (due to the lack of technical capabilities) and the recentralisation of the early 21st century (Niño-Amezquita, 2010) This legislation sought to strengthen decentralisation without jeopardising the unitary Colombian state and while understanding that autonomy is one of the best ways to deal with the needs of the population and its territories (ICP, 2011). This all provides a context from which to examine how territories integrate into the new process of territorial globalisation, with the breaking down of national borders and some weak or inexistent national and territorial institutions allowing for new links to be forged outside the borders

Internationalisation and decentralised cooperation in Colombia

Geographic location

The economic vocation and internationalisation

The Relevance of Boyaca’s Departmental Entities

A characterisation of the department

Geographical characteristics

The level of development

16 Source

The role of sub-national entities

Findings

Conclusion