Intergovernmental Coordination Research Articles

The Absolute Authority of Local Governments in Managing and Granting Permits for Business Actors Based on the Principles of Regional Autonomy

The principle of regional autonomy provides local governments with substantial authority to manage and regulate their regions, including the issuance of business permits. This study aims to analyze the scope of absolute authority held by local governments in managing business permits and its alignment with national policies to promote sustainable regional development. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research examines legal frameworks, policy documents, and case studies to identify challenges and opportunities in the implementation of business licensing. The findings reveal that while local governments have significant authority, the central government's oversight remains crucial to ensure uniformity, legal certainty, and prevention of power abuse. Key challenges include overlapping regulations, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and limited capacity at the regional level. This study highlights the importance of integrated systems like Online Single Submission (OSS) and risk-based licensing to streamline processes. The implications of this research emphasize the need for policy reforms that enhance transparency, accountability, and intergovernmental coordination to create a conducive investment climate and support sustainable development.

Fossil Fuel Industry Divestment and the Energy Transition: Lessons and Red Flags from Shell and the Niger Delta

Abstract While divestments and decisions to exit commercial fossil fuel ventures are not new, the imperatives of the energy transition are catalysing such moves at a global industry-wide level, as oil companies position themselves for the future. The international normative framework for business and human rights provides clear guidance on how responsible divestment from fossil fuels should occur; however, in the absence of intergovernmental coordination and regulation, individual business divestment decisions create severe human rights risks. The case of Shell’s divestment from onshore Niger Delta oil production illustrates business and human rights issues relevant to the energy transition.

Multilevel Environmental Governance in Indonesia: Analysis of Implementation Pathways and Institutional Dynamics

This study examines Indonesia's environmental governance framework, focusing on the complex interplay between global environmental imperatives and local implementation challenges. Through a qualitative analytical approach utilizing comprehensive secondary data, the research investigates how Indonesia navigates environmental governance while balancing economic development priorities. The study analyzes the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern environmental management approaches and examines the effectiveness of adaptive governance mechanisms in addressing diverse environmental challenges. The findings reveal that Indonesia's multilevel governance system, while facing coordination challenges, demonstrates significant potential in developing comprehensive environmental frameworks. The research highlights the critical role of institutional capacity building and stakeholder engagement in environmental governance, particularly in balancing economic development with environmental protection. The study also identifies key challenges in implementing environmental policies across Indonesia's diverse archipelagic territory, including intergovernmental coordination issues and resource allocation barriers. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the importance of context-specific approaches in environmental governance, particularly in integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern environmental management practices. This study contributes to the broader understanding of environmental governance in developing nations and provides valuable insights for policymakers seeking to enhance environmental governance effectiveness while maintaining sustainable development objectives.

Challenges and gaps in intergovernmental coordination in the fight against dengue

Challenges and gaps in intergovernmental coordination in the fight against dengue

Increasing intergovernmental coordination to fight crime: evidence from Mexico

Abstract Latin America is the most violent region in the world, with many countries also suffering from high levels of criminality and the presence of powerful criminal organizations. Identifying government responses that improve citizen security is imperative. Existing research argues that improving intergovernmental coordination helps the state combat criminality, but has limited its analysis to political factors that affect coordination. I study the impact of increasing intergovernmental coordination between law enforcement agencies. Using the generalized synthetic control method, original data on the staggered implementation of a police reform that increased intergovernmental police coordination and detailed data on criminal organizations and criminality in Guanajuato, Mexico, I find that the reform weakened criminal organizations and reduced violent crime, but increased violence.

Public Perception of the Food Estate Program of Cassava Cultivation as a Strategic Logistic Reserve in Realizing Regional Food Security in Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan

This research examines the implementation challenges of Indonesia’s Strategic Logistics Reserve Development Program (CLS), specifically focusing on cassava cultivation in Gunung Mas Regency. Launched as part of the 2020-2024 National Strategic Program (PSN), the initiative aims to address potential food security issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, land degradation, and climate change. The program's primary goal is to develop food estates to enhance national food security. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including interviews with key stakeholders, analysis of program documentation, and community surveys to assess the program’s effectiveness and impact. Key findings reveal significant obstacles, including policy misalignment, unsuitable land conditions for cassava, inadequate infrastructure, and a top-down implementation strategy that lacks local community involvement. Results indicate that while the program has led to some positive outcomes, such as job creation and increased food independence, it has also faced severe criticism. Issues such as suboptimal cassava growth, environmental damage, and socio-cultural impacts have led to negative public perceptions. The failure to issue a crucial Presidential Decree, poor inter-governmental coordination, and inadequate understanding of the program by local communities have compounded these challenges. Analysis suggests that the program’s shortcomings are due to a combination of regulatory delays, environmental mismatches, and insufficient stakeholder engagement. To address these issues, the research recommends a comprehensive evaluation of the program, restoration of damaged lands, enhanced community participation, and stronger environmental safeguards. Improved collaboration between central and regional governments and better alignment of policies and infrastructure are essential for the program’s success in achieving its food security objectives.

The Reality of The State's Responsibility for Victims of Natural Disasters in The Perspective of Human Rights

This study critically examines the state's role in fulfilling its responsibilities towards victims of natural disasters from a human rights perspective. It aims to analyze the nature of these responsibilities, their conceptual framework, and the factors influencing their effective implementation. Using a philosophical approach alongside qualitative research methods like interviews and direct observations, the study seeks to deepen understanding of how state actions intersect with humanitarian principles. Key findings emphasize the importance of grounding state responsibilities in humanitarian values to uphold human rights and preserve the dignity of affected individuals. This perspective is particularly relevant in Indonesia, where Pancasila principles underscore the state's role in disaster response and recovery. Despite these principles, the study identifies persistent challenges such as inadequate disaster mitigation policies, insufficient community protection measures, and complexities in inter-governmental coordination. To enhance the implementation of state responsibilities in disaster management, several recommendations are proposed. Firstly, integrating humanitarian considerations into criteria for determining national disaster status is essential to prioritize human rights in decision-making. Secondly, regional governments should allocate resources in their budget planning for both proactive disaster prevention and effective post-disaster response tailored to local vulnerabilities. Additionally, the study advocates for improved disaster mitigation policies, including comprehensive public education on disaster impacts, strict building regulations, and robust disaster risk zoning frameworks. Addressing these recommendations can align state actions with humanitarian principles, thereby improving the protection and well-being of communities affected by natural disasters.

Intergovernmental coordination for a sustainable development of entrepreneurial activity in the Republic of Moldova

This article scrutinizes the multifaceted challenges inherent in intergovernmental coordination across various sectors, with a particular emphasis on sustainable development and entrepreneurial activity within the Republic of Moldova. It argues that despite the existence of intergovernmental cooperation, it often manifests as deficient, contradictory, incomplete, and inefficient. Through a meticulous analysis, this study delineates the roles of pertinent authorities and institutions in fostering the sustainable development of entrepreneurial activities, identifying critical inter-institutional coordination issues and challenges. The discourse extends to examining institutional processes and the extent to which policies, laws, and international standards are implemented to nurture and sustain business activities. Moreover, the paper explores various strategies to cultivate responsible, transparent, and effective dialogue between institutions, thereby promoting innovative practices, expanding cooperation, and fostering partnerships with national and civil society organizations, including international bodies.

COVID-19 and territorial politics: towards a redefinition of Spanish intergovernmental relations?

ABSTRACT When COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) struck Spain, it caused a multidimensional crisis that sparked countless debates on its health, social and political implications. Drawing on the literature on multilevel crisis management and federalism, this paper focuses on the impact of the pandemic on the Spanish intergovernmental relations between 2020 and 2022. This research demonstrates that several intergovernmental coordination and cooperation mechanisms were activated or reactivated at the political and technical levels. This change improved joint decision-making and strengthened the system’s own capacity to cope with future crises. In particular, this article shows how and to what extent the health crisis broke down the existing logic of discretionary collaboration and increased coherence among regional governments by strengthening the role of central ministries. Three movements have been observed and measured consisting in a growing institutionalisation, coordination and cross-sectoral logic of action. Consequently, we conclude that intergovernmental relations in Spain have been strengthened by the pandemic under the leadership of central ministries. The Spanish intergovernmental system has demonstrated its capacity to adapt to external shocks and its learning ability.

Participatory budget in Monterrey, Mexico: obstacles, challenges and possibilities

ABSTRACT Participatory Budget, as a process for democratic decision-making in allocating public funds, has gained traction globally since the initial experiences in Porto Alegre, Brazil in the 1980s. This article analyses the 2022 and 2023 experiences of participatory budget (PB) in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. Based on a comparative analysis of secondary data of Monterrey’s two-year programme, the study illustrates the obstacles and potentialities of implementing PB. Some of the limitations revolve around intergovernmental coordination, spatial limitations and limited impact on changing power relations concerning urban interventions. In assessing the programme’s implementation, we seek to highlight that while participation indeed increased from 2022 to 2023, the conceptualisation of the programme differs from the original one in Porto Alegre, and distribution of projects and resources remains uneven. By critically evaluating Monterrey’s PB initiatives, the article aims to contribute to the broader discourse on the complexities and challenges of participatory budget implementation.

Looking Beyond the Lens of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Africa.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a lethal viral disease that has severe public health effects throughout Africa and a case fatality rate of 10%-40%. CCHF virus was first discovered in Crimea in 1944 and has since caused a substantial disease burden in Africa. The shortage of diagnostic tools, ineffective tick control efforts, slow adoption of preventive measures, and cultural hurdles to public education are among the problems associated with continued CCHF virus transmission. Progress in preventing virus spread is also hampered by the dearth of effective serodiagnostic testing for animals and absence of precise surveillance protocols. Intergovernmental coordination, creation of regional reference laboratories, multiinstitutional public education partnerships, investments in healthcare infrastructure, vaccine development, and a One Health approach are strategic methods for solving prevention challenges. Coordinated efforts and financial commitments are needed to combat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and improve all-around readiness for newly developing infectious illnesses in Africa.

Fiscal Devolution and Healthcare Accessibility A Case Study of Homa Bay County

Fiscal devolution has gained prominence as a policy approach in many developing countries, aiming to enhance healthcare accessibility. This study focused on the influence of Fiscal devolution on healthcare accessibility in Homabay County. The study employed a mixed-methods approach to assess the impact of fiscal devolution on public sector efficiency, combining quantitative data analysis and qualitative observations. With an emphasis on metrics like service quality, punctuality, and accessibility, quantitative data were gathered via questionnaires and administrative records. Key stakeholders, such as representatives of the local government, prominent members of the community, and recipients of services, were interviewed in-depth and participated in focus groups to get qualitative data. The data were analyzed using appropriate SPSS version 27 statistical techniques and thematic analysis to identify patterns and relationships. Results showed that fiscal devolution had both positive as well as negative effects on healthcare accessibility in Homabay County, underlining the importance of effective local government and resource allocation processes. Preliminary data indicate that fiscal devolution in Homabay County has had a mixed effect on healthcare accessibility. On one hand, decentralization has empowered local authorities to make decisions tailored to local needs, resulting in improved service responsiveness and community engagement. On the other hand, challenges related to inadequate financial resources, capacity constraints, and intergovernmental coordination have hindered the efficient delivery of public services. Effectiveness of fiscal devolution largely depends on the presence of effective local governance structures, transparent resource allocation mechanisms, and capacity building initiatives.

Federalism and Democracy: A Bibliometric Review and Future Research Agenda

This study aims to explore the complex relationship between federalism and democracy through bibliometric review through Scopus database from 1962 to 2024. Based on 522 articles extracted on “Federalism and Democracy” from Scopus database, highlights how these two political concepts interact across countries including United States, Ethiopia, and Nigeria and historical contexts, emphasizing the complementary yet potentially conflicting nature of their relationship. The paper points out the critical role of federalism in enhancing democratic principles such as accountable governments, increased political participation, and protection against majority tyranny. It also acknowledges the challenges and tensions arising from intergovernmental coordination and democratic governance within federal systems. Authors have done a comprehensive analysis, exploring the dynamics of fiscal policy, legal and constitutional frameworks, and the influence of federalism within the European Union. It further examines the application of federalism and democracy in specific national contexts, including the United States, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, to illustrate the diverse ways these concepts evolve and impact societies. Through this exploration, the paper provides insights into how federalism can either strengthen or weaken democracy based on factors such as party politics, fiscal decentralization, and the legal-institutional setup. This study sets a future research agenda by exploring 20 research questions spread across ten thematic clusters. These clusters cover a wide range of topics, from fiscal policy and party politics in federal systems to the role of political parties, elections, legal aspects of federalism, and new developments in European federalism. By outlining these future research directions, the paper aims to guide further scholarly exploration and understanding of the complex relationship between federalism and democracy.

Decentralisation, intergovernmental coordination, and response to extreme events in Southeast Asia

ABSTRACT Despite common lessons learned during the SARS pandemic in 2003, country responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Asia have been very diverse, with many lacking coordination among government bodies. I consider how government structure and political decentralisation shape emergency response to extreme events, focusing on two of Southeast Asia’s largest decentralised countries, Indonesia and the Philippines. I explore variation in provincial-level responses and outcomes, showing that intergovernmental coordination can augment the beneficial aspects of decentralisation in world regions where human and economic costs associated with extreme events are high.

A relevância da Cúpula de Belém do Pará para implementação do Tratado de Cooperação Amazônica

The IV Belém Summit in Pará, Brazil, held in August 2023, brought together the leaders of the member countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (OTCA) to discuss a new sustainable agenda for the region. The Amazon was the focus of attention due to its global importance as the largest watershed and the most extensive and diverse tropical forest on the planet. The Summit highlighted the importance of strengthening OTCA as the only intergovernmental coordination mechanism to implement the agreed presidential agenda. The Belém Declaration established priorities for effective regional cooperation, including sustainability, environmental preservation, and inclusive development. The challenges to be faced include the efficient management of OTCA, the improvement of governance and positioning as a center for regional and international technical and political cooperation. The successful implementation of the agreed agenda will require the commitment of the Amazon countries and the active participation of all stakeholders, especially indigenous peoples and local communities.

Government Coordination In Implementing Stunting Weighing Operations In Kupang City

This study aims to determine Government Coordination in Implementing Stunting Weighing Operations in Kupang City. The type of research used is qualitative research. The research results show that the implementation of stunting operations in Kupang City involves cross-sectoral coordination. Availability of stunting toddler data as a result of carrying out operations as a basis for carrying out stunting interventions in Kupang City. Based on horizontal coordination, even though the leading sector is in the health office, coordination with equivalent institutions has been running optimally. However, vertical coordination is still a problem because the target for weighing (toddlers) at the community level involves community participation in load operations. Even though the level of attendance is relatively high, not all toddlers participate in these activities. Based on this, coordination between central, regional, and local government institutions needs further improvement. Apart from increasing coordination between governments, more effective community participation is also required. Inter-governmental coordination and community participation are the keys to success in dealing with the stunting problem in Kupang.

Tourism Impact on the Cultural Heritage of Countries in the Middle East

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to explore the tourism impact on cultural heritage of countries in the Middle East.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the tourism impact on cultural heritage of countries in the Middle East. Preliminary empirical review revealed that tourism has both positive and negative effects on the region's cultural heritage. While it significantly contributes to the economy and fosters cultural exchange, it also poses challenges such as overcrowding and cultural commodification. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism practices and responsible heritage management. Cultural ecology, cultural conservation, and dependency theories provided valuable frameworks for understanding this complex relationship. The findings benefit policymakers, site managers, local communities, and the tourism industry by guiding the development of strategies that protect cultural heritage while harnessing tourism's economic potential, contributing to a more balanced approach to tourism development in the Middle East.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Cultural Ecology Theory, Cultural Conservation Theory and the Dependency Theory may be used to anchor future studies on cultural heritage. The study suggested a set of comprehensive recommendations. These recommendations emphasize the importance of heritage conservation and responsible tourism practices. They include the development of robust heritage management plans, enhanced visitor education, and community engagement. Encouraging tourism diversification, sustainable infrastructure development, and capacity building are also essential. Furthermore, the study highlights the significance of ongoing research, marketing strategies that promote cultural richness, and intergovernmental coordination. By implementing these measures, Middle Eastern countries can achieve a harmonious balance between cultural heritage preservation and the economic benefits of tourism, ensuring the long-term sustainability of both.

Legal Imperatives and Regulatory Mechanisms for Sustainable Energy Development: A Comparative Analysis of Renewable Energy Policies in Australia and China

This thesis conducts a critical examination of the legal frameworks and regulatory mechanisms governing the renewable energy sector, focusing on the alignment of policies and incentives with sustainable industry development internationally. It compares Australia's and China's approaches to renewable energy legislation, highlighting Australia's heavy reliance on fossil fuels and China's pioneering legal measures. Australia's Renewable Energy Target (RET), Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) are evaluated, along with state-level initiatives. China's Renewable Energy Law (REL), Wind Power Concession Program, and the Mid-and Long-term Development Plan for Renewable Energy (MLDP) reflect its strategic legal positioning. The comparative analysis elucidates fiscal strategies, investment mechanisms, and grid integration issues, revealing differing approaches to government intervention and market-driven solutions. The thesis proposes enhancements to Australia's policy framework, emphasizing the need for grid modernization, intergovernmental coordination, investment in domestic manufacturing, and legal reform to ensure a robust, sustainable, and self-sufficient renewable energy sector.

Konträr oder konstruktiv? Zur produktiven Widersprüchlichkeit zwischen Föderalismus und parlamentarischer Demokratie

The relationship between federalism and parliamentary democracy was long considered to be susceptible to functional problems, and thus in parts incompatible . Accordingly, cross- level political coordination, which is necessary for federalism in practice, stands at odds with the dynamics of partisan competition typical of parliamentary systems of government . The interactions between both processes were considered as either susceptible to deadlocks in intergovernmental coordination or as a cause of de-parliamentarization of politics . In light of the diversity of federal systems in practice, however, this viewpoint appears as over- ly narrow . While democracy and federalism are surely not inherent counterparts, the con- junction of these two different regime dimensions in one political system is by no means inevitably contradictory . Instead, the search to reconcile and balance different, and in-parts countervailing demands and functional logics, pose an ongoing task for any federal democ- racy . Depending on patterns of coping with the tensions between them, indeed the inter- connections and interaction between federalism and parliamentary democracy can prove to be productive and to facilitate modes of democratic governance .

Descoordenação a serviço do racismo institucional: considerações sobre o acesso de indígenas à política de saúde

Abstract The Brazilian policy for indigenous health has its efficacy conditioned by the promotion of intergovernmental coordination between the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI), municipal, and regional health services. This coordination should be done both in the policy formulation and in its implementation-which should occur between medium and street-level bureaucrats. Based on the literature that discusses federalism and intergovernmental coordination mechanisms, this article investigates the mechanisms and difficulties of cooperation in the frontline of health services offered to Indigenous peoples. A total of six semi-structured interviews were carried out with professionals of the SESAI in the Mato Grosso do Sul DSEI. It was identified that the difficulties are related mainly to institutional racism, the overload of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), the unaccountability of municipal services, and the weak communication between SESAI and hospitals. The cooperation mechanisms are personal relations, situated agency of SESAI professionals, and a monetary incentive. In conclusion, there is a need for more intergovernmental collaboration mechanisms that consider these difficulties in integrating the implementation of these services.