Decentralization Of Public Administration Research Articles

Значение организаций, реализующих государственно-властные полномочия, в системе публичного управления

The article analyzes advantages and disadvantages of both centralization and decentralization of public administration. The paper shows that tendencies towards predominantly centralized or predominantly decentralized public administration in the country are constantly replacing each other. Based on the analysis of this sine-shaped process, the author concludes that organizations that exercise separate government authorities, in particular, state corporations need to exist in the contemporary administrative system. As an example, the publication reviews the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation. The author notes that organizations that exercise separate government authorities are full-fledged subjects of the public administration system.

Метаморфоза парадигмы государственного управления и новые требования к квалификационным характеристикам госслужащих

In conditions of rapidly changing external environment, increasing international tension, and more complicated public policy, the theory of public administration must quickly adapt. Traditional models of public administration based on strict hierarchical subordination are extremely ineffective, which necessitates their radical rethinking and redesign. These changes affect the requirements for the qualification profile of civil servants. The key trend is the rejection of team management methods in favor of methods based on participation, involvement, effective motivation. The purpose of the study is to analyze the theory of public administration basic concepts (models); to establish the functions and tasks of civil servants and arrange them; to identify key trends in the society development that affect the qualification profile of civil servants. The research is based on scientific works, statistical data of national and foreign agencies and institutes, empirical data. Scientific methods: literature analysis, comparative analysis, synthesis, generalization, observation; methods, used in the article are of scientific abstraction and abstract thinking. The novelty of the research lies in the conclusion that the paradigm of public administration shifts towards social partnership and decentralization of public administration, increasing the responsibility of civil servants.

The Health and Quality of Life Development Plan as a policy advisory tool for municipalities

Abstract Issue In 2019, the Portuguese government established the autonomy of local authorities and the decentralisation of public administration. Consequently, a process that includes the transfer of health competencies from the central government to the municipalities began. The newly acquired competencies enable local governments to play a crucial role in defining health policies and strategic partnerships with special focus on disease prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyles and active ageing. That said, several municipalities established a collaboration protocol with the National School of Public Health (NSPH) for the development of the Health and Quality of Life Development Plan (HQLDP) as a contribution to their strategic planning. Results NSPH has developed a solidified methodology for municipalities to substantiate their health planning and priorities, based on a deep health diagnosis, from existing demographic, economical, health and environmental data in a given timeline. HQLDP is a medium-term reference that will support strategic action in the area of health and social determinants. The general objective of the HQLDP is to contribute to the improvement of the health status, in the different stages of the life cycle, based on the evaluation of the health profile and social determinants and to define a set of strategic objectives that promote the reduction of inequalities, the promotion and protection of health and the prevention of disease. The developed plan also includes public and stakeholders’ scrutiny, to define key areas of action in the health sector. Lessons The HQLDP takes into account the vocation of local authorities to act on determinants through policies that intervene in the environmental, socio-economic, educational, urban planning and mobility contexts; assuming an active, influential and local role in health policies. Municipal intervention requires a strong and concerted local action and the definition of territorialized development strategies. Key messages • HQLDP has a crucial role on the situational diagnosis and set of priorities of the quality of life and health indicators to assess the priorities at council level. • HQLDP provides the knowledge for the development of public policies and interventions that comply with the population characteristics by reducing health inequalities and inequities.

Preconditions and stages of devolution in the UK

The article analyses preconditions and stages of devolution in the UK. It is shown, that the decentralization of public administration in the UK means the devolution of central government and increasing the responsibility of local government in the expansion and development of various forms of interaction between state and society. In this context, devolution is primarily a process of transferring power from the central to the lower level. Devolution has become the most important event of recent decades in the political and socio-economic development of Great Britain. In contrast to decentralization, devolution aims at a more substantial transformation of the territorial system of government – the transfer of not only executive powers but also some legislative ones.
 Thus, the decentralization of power, which has signs of devolution in Britain, is complex and ambiguous process. The process of devolution in the UK is characterized by asymmetry, as evidenced by the lack of legislative powers of England. In this context, it is stated that the procedure of interaction between public authorities at different levels is not well established. Today, there are a significant number of control functions, levers of administrative and financial pressure on central offices, as well as the lack of clear recommendations by which local authorities could determine what is within their competence and address urgent issues more effectively.

TO THE QUESTION OF GEOMETRIC MODELING OF ORGANIZATIONAL CLUSTER STRUCTURES IN ORTHODOXY

The current stage of development of our state is characterized by a return to the Christian worldview after many years of forced atheism. Therefore, in many cities and villages of Ukraine, temples and monasteries are being revived, religious buildings and monuments are being intensively repaired, reconstructed and built, and places of pilgrimage are being arranged, and so on. At the same time, there are significant socio-economic changes, in particular, new market conditions, land, medical and educational reforms, decentralization of public administration, etc. These facts emphasize the high spiritual and material dynamism of today's life. Its complexity is increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the armed conflict with Russia and other common points. In addition, everyone usually has personal problems.
 The Orthodox Christian religion has always proclaimed love for one's neighbor as a great moral value. Various human activities, including the above, are characterized by the widespread use of information technologies. In many cases, one of the foundations of which is computer graphics. The advantage of geometric models compared to analytical ones is their simplicity, clarity, ease of use. The development of new mathematical tools, which are aimed at the effective practical implementation of spiritual activities among the population, is a godly task. On this basis, the selected topic can be considered quite relevant.
 The main purpose of this publication is to highlight the proposed methodology for the automated reproduction of organizational cluster structures in Orthodoxy. The obtained scientific applied achievements represent a developed approach to modeling church management and related religious territorial Christian communities in the form of dioceses and parishes. On the basis of the given strategy new complex geometrical models for optimization of activity of orthodox churches are constructed. This concerns the more rational placement of temples and chapels, the definition of the proper boundaries of parishes and dioceses, the determination of the need for their unification or liquidation, the establishment of new ones, and so on. The paper outlines the prospects for the necessary further research.

РОЗВИТОК СУЧАНИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ ДЕВОЛЮЦІЇ У ВЕЛИКОБРИТАНІЇ

The main purpose of the article is to analyze the devolutionary processes in Great Britain, which have intensified and institutionalized since the late twentieth century and continue to the present days, as well as their impact on the political and socio-economic development of its member countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Theoretical and methodological basis of the study are scientific methods and methodological approaches to understanding the process of interaction of public authorities under conditions of devolution. An important condition of the chosen research strategy is the observance of the principles of objectivity, multifactoriality and systematicity. The study is based on methodological principles of a systematic approach. Using a systems approach makes it possible to study the interaction of public authorities in the UK in the context of devolution as a single system. Based on the fact that devolution involves the creation of certain institutions, as well as institutional adaptation to a management system that adapts to new conditions, the main methodological approach to analysis was the institutional approach. The article emphasizes that for a long time the United Kingdom has been a model of decentralized political governance based on the culture of civil society and the representation of local interests in the national government. To a large extent, Britain's sustainable development depends on a periodic political compromise. It can alleviate the main contradiction of the British political system – the dichotomy of the principles of the supremacy of parliament and regional self-government. It is proved that the decentralization of public administration in the UK means the devolution of central government and increasing the responsibility of local government in the expansion and development of various forms of interaction between state and society. In general, the process of decentralization of power in the UK is complex and ambiguous one. The process of devolution in the UK is characterized by asymmetry, as evidenced by the lack of legislative powers of England. In this context, it is stated that the procedure of interaction between public authorities at different levels is not well established. Today there is a significant number of control functions, levers of administrative and financial pressure on central offices, as well as the lack of clear recommendations by which local authorities could determine what is within their competence and address urgent issues more effectively.

ANALYSIS OF CURRENT INNOVATIONS AND FACTORS IN SHAPING RURAL ELECTIONS: A PERIOD OF TRANSITION

The article analyzes the current innovations of the new model of the local self-government system, where one of the important components is the organization and conduct of direct elections of rural akims. The election of rural akims in Kazakhstan remains one of the important directions in the framework of further decentralization of public administration and the introduction of the widespread practice of local self-government institutions. In this connection, the article considers and assesses the key measures for implementing the transition to direct elections, taking into account the experience of the first local election campaign in the summer of 2021.

Public-private partnership as a new form of social responsibility and a mechanism of decentralization of public administration

The need to attract resources to socially significant infrastructure facilities, decentralize authority, market orientation of public services, efficiency and competition requires the search for a combination of opportunities for cooperation between the public and private sectors. A public-private partnership has become one of the modern approaches to the implementation of socially important projects. The study identified the degree of impact of the partnership between the state and business, as a mechanism of decentralization of public administration, on the factors of social responsibility. The methodological approach involved the analysis of the existing research on social responsibility of public-private partnership by identifying and comparing key factors of social responsibility; determination of variables that describe them, and conducting econometric analysis of established variables. It is proved that in addition to overcoming the budget deficit, contributing to economic performance, public-private partnership involves social responsibility. The activity of public-private partnerships (private investment in infrastructure projects) is found to have impact on innovation, the environment, health care, the rule of law, and unemployment rates. There is a need to conduct further research with an expanded number of countries and factors that describe social responsibility of public-private partnership.

Теоретико-методологічне забезпечення економічного розвитку аграрного сектору та сільських територій

The purpose of the article is generalization of the research results of scientists of the National Research Center "Institute of Agrarian Economy" to improve the theoretical foundations of economic development of the agricultural sector and rural areas, as well as the development of economic foundations for the formation of agricultural policy in Ukraine. Research methods. In the process of research, depending on the goals and objectives, a number of general scientific and special methods were used, in particular: theoretical generalization - to substantiate the theoretical and methodological provisions of the economic development of the agricultural sector and rural areas; a complex of general logical methods - as the main methodological toolkit for scientific research; monographic - when defining the essence and implementing a methodological assessment of organizational and economic conditions and the logic of development trends in certain areas of the agricultural sector and rural areas; analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, comparison - in the study and generalization of modern experience and identification of promising priorities for improving the theoretical and methodological support for the economic development of the agricultural sector and rural areas in Ukraine. Research results. A scientifically substantiated analysis of the research results of the National Research Center "Institute of Agrarian Economics" for 2016-2020 with the systematization of developments that form the methodological basis for the implementation of a promising nationally identical model of economic development of the agricultural sector and rural areas, taking into account the priorities of achieving competitiveness and sustainability. Scientific novelty. Fundamentally new foundations and scientific and methodological approaches in priority areas and substantiation of mechanisms for ensuring effective economic development of the agricultural sector of the economy and rural areas in the context of expanding self-government, decentralization of public administration and development of entrepreneurship have been developed. In particular, the theoretical and methodological foundations of substantiating an innovative model for the development of rural areas and the agricultural sector of the economy have been improved; new approaches to increasing the competitive advantages of domestic agri-food products on world markets in the context of global challenges and international integration of Ukraine, proposed a Ukrainian model of agricultural land turnover, a conceptual vision of the development of family farms. Practical significance. The research results are aimed at creating favorable institutional conditions for conducting economic and entrepreneurial activities in rural areas (regulatory and competitive policy of food security, liberalization of access to product markets and production factors) and ensuring the development of the social component of the formation of state policy in the development of rural areas; strengthening of various forms of integration relations of economic entities in rural areas and their adaptation to the requirements of European agrarian and business law; improving property relations, optimizing property relations and increasing the competitiveness of entrepreneurial structures; ensuring the formation of a system of market turnover of agricultural land and its infrastructure; strengthening the income base of the budgets of rural communities. The developed recommendations will help to build up export potential and increase budget revenues, increase the level of consumption of the population, form an economic mechanism for greening agricultural lands; elimination of problem institutions that restrain the increase in the competitiveness of the agrarian sector of the economy and the development of agrarian entrepreneurship; introduction of a scientifically grounded model of fiscal regulation of the development of the agrarian sector of the economy, which will have a positive effect on the well-being of rural residents and provide a resource base for solving social problems. Refs.: 29.

Decentralization of power in Ukraine in the conditions of the COVID-19

Decentralization and coronavirus - these are the two words that have recently been most often used in the information space of Ukraine. Therefore, the relevance of the topic of this article is twofold, as it stems from two current social and political issues addressed in the article - the fight against coronavirus and the fateful reform of decentralization of power for Ukraine. The purpose of the article is an objective analysis of the process of decentralization of power in the face of a serious challenge facing the Ukrainian state due to the coronavirus pandemic. The methodology of historical science is used for this purpose. The study is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, specificity, systematics; analytical, descriptive methods were used in writing the article. The events of the final stage of the decentralization reform phase (2020) are considered, when the tasks of consolidation of districts, formation of a new administrative-territorial structure of the country, holding elections to new district councils and communities were solved. At the same time, all this was carried out in the context of the economic crisis, the coronavirus pandemic, the decline in the living standards of most people, and the decline in confidence in all branches of government. An important problem of decentralization of power has been the balance of state and regional interests, the establishment of interaction between the central government and local elites, mayors of large cities, whose role has increased due to anti-virus measures. An indicator of this was the successful performance in the local elections of regional parties and personally acting mayors. The novelty of the article is that it first considers the reform of decentralization of public administration in an unprecedented pandemic, which threatened the survival of large masses of people, the economy, the social order of Ukraine. Like most countries in the world.

ТЕОРЕТИЧНО-МЕТОДИЧНІ ПІДХОДИ ДО ОЦІНКИ ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНОЇ ПРИВАБЛИВОСТІ РЕГІОНІВ УКРАЇНИ

Currently, when the Ukrainian economy is developing in an unstable, uncertain, aggressive, dynamic external environment, there is an urgent need to increase the level of investment attractiveness of each region of the country and, as a consequence, the need to increase attention to scientific and methodological support for assessing the integral indicator of investment attractiveness region. In connection with the decentralization of public administration in Ukraine, the role of local authorities in improving the socio-economic situation of its regions is increasing. In the context of real limited financial resources in the country, the problem of increasing the level of investment attractiveness of each region is becoming urgent as a characteristic that allows active investors to form an idea of the state of potential investment objects, as well as ensuring the reliability of obtaining the expected results. It should be noted that the choice of assessment indicators is subjective and depends on the goal of the investor. Such a format for solving this problem requires an assessment of the investment attractiveness of regions based on economic and mathematical modeling. Although there are many developments in this area, today there is no single effective method for assessing the investment attractiveness of the region. The work reveals the essence of the concept of investment attractiveness of a region, defines the methodological provisions of its assessment, the implementation of which requires the use of certain data from official regional statistics. Based on the basic local statistical indicators of the Kharkov, Kiev and Odessa regions of the country, a comparative assessment of their investment attractiveness was carried out. The methodological approaches and parameters determining the investment attractiveness of the regions of Ukraine have been analyzed. The information on the level of investment attractiveness of Kharkiv, Kiev and Odessa regions in 2019 has been systematised, the integral indicator of its evaluation has been defined. In the future, it is recommended to calculate the integral indicator of investment attractiveness for all regions of the country in dynamics.

ДЕЦЕНТРАЛІЗАЦІЯ – СТИМУЛЮЮЧИЙ ЧИННИК ДЕМОКРАТИЗАЦІЇ ОСВІТИ

It is studied that decentralization as a multifaceted phenomenon that determines the centrifugal processes in the state, is both a principle and a method and a feature of public administration. It provides for the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the central government to the lower levels of government and to the private sector. In addition, decentralization presupposes the delegation of certain powers and responsibilities to subordinates, giving them greater freedom of will and, with it, greater responsibility. In the context of the transformation of social processes, the decentralization of management of Ukrainian society is an important factor in stimulating the democratization of education. Occasionally, foreign experience in decentralizing education management and improving its quality at various stages of the educational process should be used. The article emphasizes the possibility of using in Ukraine the following achievements of the Polish experience of decentralization of basic education management: at the national level – on approaches to funding at the local government level, public policy in the field of curricula, textbooks, teacher training, transparent mechanisms for quality control of education (inspection service, external evaluation, education quality monitoring system); at the level of local governments – on the financing of schools and the implementation of educational policy in accordance with local needs, community involvement in education, monitoring the quality of education at the local level; at the level of educational institutions – to involve the public in school development planning, conducting self-assessment of school work. It is determined that the decentralization of public administration, as evidenced by international experience, is a significant incentive for democratization of education, and thus better meet the educational needs of each person, effective use of local resources in education and socialization of education, which is reflected in the spread of new tools of public influence on the education system, increasing the autonomy of educational institutions and their role as public institutions.

Current Issues of Decentralization Reform and Administrative-Territorial Device

The experience of reforms in foreign countries shows that decentralization is an essential factor in democratizing and modernizing the economy, provides for concrete steps to improve the quality of life, has a clear framework and conceptual content. It is the decentralization of Public Administration that is the driving force behind the creation of a favorable regional economic space for achieving sustainable development. Reforms of the administrative-territorial structure in Ukraine have recently been fundamental, structureforming in nature, but, despite many advantages, they have revealed a large-scale complex of problems related to the relationship between new levels of state power and the distribution of budget funds. The materials of the article indicate that the current legislation has not yet been adapted to the new system of territorial structure. Issues of optimal interaction between state and local government bodies, synchronization of the development of territorial levels of the economy in the context of decentralization require regulatory changes and monitoring. For the effective completion of reforms, important steps are needed that will allow achieving the conceptual goal of the reform: the government and all authorities must serve the interests of society and ensure the sustainable development of the country. To do this, you need to form an appropriate policy and implement it systematically. It is proposed to adopt new agreements that will allow launching the work of administrations in new districts in a new format. At the same time, it is necessary to adopt a law on the administrative-territorial structure, which will establish rules by which it will be possible to further modernize districts and correct mistakes made. Finally, it is necessary to amend the Constitution in terms of local self-government and territorial organization of power. A number of provisions are proposed aimed at improving relations between the levels of subnational authorities, improving the efficiency of the Institute of prefects, distributing local finances, and legislative regulation of aspects of local self-government work.

COOPERATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH UNIVERSITIES AS A FORM OF STRENGTHENING THE CONDUCTED LOCAL ELECTIONS

The process of decentralization of public administration has enabled territorial self-governments to establish independent cooperation with entities operating on the local / supra-local market. Legal regulations specify the activities of the city / commune (i.e. act on local government), among others in the scope of satisfying the collective needs of the local community, including public education in primary schools, kindergartens and other educational establishments. In turn, they do not specify tasks in the field of higher education. Cooperation of local governments with universities, therefore, is not based on an obligation, is voluntary for both parties. The partnership of local government authorities with the university authorities determines the nature and scope of cooperation. An example of cooperation between the parties to the relationship can be commissioned tasks, which have a nationwide character, including organization of local elections by local authorities. Thanks to this form of cooperation, local governments implement management policy and long-term development of the commune, often building cooperation and support networks.

Remarks on Civic Legislative Initiative in Poland

The article presents citizens’ legislative initiative at the local level in Poland as a form of social participation. Poland is currently seeing a growing interest in public affairs on the part of citizens, which is especially noticeable at the local level. In the article, particular attention is paid to the importance of local self-government, which is the key element of a democratic state that provides its citizens with an opportunity to participate in exercising public power. The structures of Polish local administration are one of the fundamental manifestations effects of decentralization of public administration. It is through these structures that the citizens’ right to take socially important actions related to the satisfying of public needs stemming from living in the given territory is exercised. Citizens’ legislative initiative at the local level allows the members of local communities to submit a draft of a resolution to the local legislative body. The establishment of the legislative initiative of the members of the local communities in generally applicable legal regulations was a positive move, as it has created an opportunity to promote citizens’ local legislative initiative as an instrument allowing citizens to have actual influence over the functioning of local communities.

ADAPTATION OF GLOBAL TRENDS IN TERRITORIAL BRANDING TO UKRAINIAN REQUIREMENTS

It is determined that the relevance of local self-government is due to the fact that the level of its development at the territorial level is the main indicator of decentralization of public administration and demonopolization of the economy. The presence of an effective institution of local government ensures the rational distribution of functions, powers, responsibilities and resources at the territorial level and the formation of a qualitatively new, fairer system of relations in society, which allows to obtain a high economic and social effect. It is proved that the system is based on the assumption that at the local level of government, it should be a balance of territorial and sectoral interests, which is possible by combining two strategies: modernization strategy, which is carried out "from above", defined at the state level, and the strategy of advanced development of education, which is formed as an organic part of the territorial development strategy, takes into account the target priorities and accumulated resource potential of the municipality, based on the integration of goals and resources of local society, economic entities on the territory. It is substantiated that improving the quality and accessibility of education, for which the conditions are created at the territorial level of government, is possible only through the holistic development of municipal education systems. It is proved that the implementation of initiatives within the framework of modernization of education requires adaptation to local conditions and the search for those options for innovation, which at the local level of government would create opportunities for the implementation of the strategy of advanced development or would not hinder it. This principle means that in order to achieve socially significant results and rational use of certain resources, it is unacceptable to make changes in the system without adopting a strategy for the development of education, associated with the strategy of sustainable development of the territory. It is determined that the absolutization of economic factors of education development in the complex of modernization projects coming from the state level should be supplemented by strengthening the social direction of local innovations taking into account the specific characteristics and conditions of municipal education. Only in this case it will be possible to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the education system. It is substantiated that the minimum level of inclusion is considered to be awareness of the innovations of all those whom it affects to one degree or another. Even such "passive" inclusion in the innovation process can influence a more positive general attitude of society to changes in education, establish a dialogue between all interested social and professional groups, and move on to cooperation on education development. It is proved that the main conditions for modernization of education at the local level are the development of innovations provided by the state modernization strategy, support of educational institutions to increase the effectiveness of innovations, and provide measures to reduce risks and possible negative consequences in cases where these mandatory innovations are difficult to implement in the municipality.

Система адміністративного управління

The main directions of reforming the system of administrative management in Ukraine are investigated in the article. Modern systems of administrative management are analyzed and it is suggested to concentrate on five main directions of improvement of the system of administrative management: 1. Privatization and decentralization of public administration; 2. Reduction of excessive state regulation; 3. Improving the quality of public services; 4. Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government; 5. Increasing the information openness of the authorities.

АДМІНІСТРАТИВНА РЕФОРМА ЯК ОСНОВА МОДЕРНІЗАЦІЇ ПУБЛІЧНОГО УПРАВЛІННЯ


 
 
 The article analyzes the approaches to reforming the public administration system. Three types of reforms have been implemented in the world: first, economization is to increase the efficiency of administration while saving money; the second area of reform was the decentralization of public administration, which was clearly reflected in the growing role of local governments in European countries; The third area of reform was to increase the openness of public administration to the public, which should have helped to increase the legitimacy of the administration in the new environment. The author analyzed the following modern models of public administration: new state management; neo-institutionalism; "Governance" (or "good governance").
 
 

Децентралізація та збалансованість публічного управління регіональним і місцевим розвитком: питання теорії

У статті досліджуються теоретичні питання децентралізації державного управління в Україні. Розкриті категорії та суспільні відносини в сфері управління регіональним і місцевим розвитком в Україні. зокрема досліджено відмінності між державним і публічним управлінням в Україні.
 Мета статті. У роботі поставлено за мету з’ясувати трактування категорій децентралізація та публічне управління в якості окремих управлінських категорій, застосування яких пов’язане з використанням сучасних механізмів державного управління в країні. Дослідити новітні теоретичні дослідження та позиції формування ефективних суспільних відносин у сфері управління на регіональному і місцевому рівнях.
 Наукова новизна. У статті здійснено дослідження напрямів модернізації інституту представництва держави на регіональному та місцевому рівнях в Україні та теоретично доведено, що сучасною метою процесу децентралізації є реформування та посилення інституційної спроможності керівних органів, формування раціональної та збалансованої місцевої влади в управлінських сферах і необхідність існування децентралізованої управлінської моделі регіонального та місцевого розвитку в Україні.
 Висновки. У роботі обґрунтовані наукові положення щодо удосконалення використання в управлінській практиці механізмів децентралізації державного управління, які знаходиться ще на початковому етапі.
 Крім цього при дослідженні сучасних публікацій та з’ясуванні теоретичної сутності понять «регіональне управління», «територіальне управління» і «децентралізація» доведено, що суспільні відносини в конкретних відповідно зазначених інститутах, наприклад, місцеві державні адміністрації, не є стійкими, адже змінюються разом із їх розвитком, а також за умов формування сучасних реальних управлінських і фінансових повноважень.

THE RULE OF DECENTRALIZATION EQUALS TO LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT? GENERAL REMARKS ON LOCAL DEMOCRACY IN THE U.S. AN INTRODUCTION TO NEW EXPLORATIONS

This article refers to a problem of democracy at local levels in the United States. Decentralization of public administration in a federal state raises many questions about local-self government and local democracy. Therefore, a brief introduction is hereby presented, including the following aspects: status of local units, home rule charters, and the managerial system at a local level. When necessary, short references to continental solutions are made in order to explain specific American local structures. Historical determinants are also mentioned in order to illustrate that the U.S. system does not pose an ideal and universal democracy, but there are many provisions that should be considered as a pattern. It is especially significant in the aspect of civil society and its role in contemporary democracy.