Local Government Activities Research Articles

Principles of the administrative process: theoretical basics and law enforcement

The article is devoted to issues of the content of the principles of the administrative process in modern administrative law. Attention is drawn to the fact that the study of the principles of the administrative process is extremely relevant for ensuring effective public administration. It is noted that the principles of the administrative process are the foundation on which the activities of executive authorities, local governments, and other state bodies are based. They define the framework and standards that public authorities must adhere to when making decisions and performing administrative functions and obligations. It is concluded that the study of these principles allows identifying problematic aspects and suggesting ways of their improvement, which contributes to increasing the efficiency of public administration. It is suggested that the principles of the administrative process should be understood as the main guiding ideas and provisions that determine the order and rules of administrative proceedings, regulate relationships between subjects of the administrative process, ensure fairness, efficiency and legality of administrative actions and decisions. It is proved that the principles serve as the basis for the formation, functioning and development of administrative law, help to avoid abuse of power and ensure the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens. Attention is drawn to the fact that the conceptual significance of the principles of the administrative process lies in the fact that they determine the basic principles and guidelines for the construction and functioning of the administrative-procedural activity of public authorities. This means that the principles of the administrative process not only regulate specific procedures and actions, but also form a general concept of justice and management practice in the administrative sphere. It is substantiated that these principles together create a holistic concept of the administrative process and act in interaction with each other, ensuring a balance between the interests of the state and the rights of citizens, which contributes to effective management and increases trust in state institutions.

Identifying Cultural Diplomacy and Sustainable Development in Sister Province Cooperation of Bali, Indonesia

While States have traditionally formed the focus of International Relations studies, the contributions of local government actors have become increasingly important in both influencing and responding to the forces of global politics, including in the Global South. In this vein, this preliminary study explores the practice of the local government in initiating sister province cooperation in Bali, Indonesia. This study uses three conceptual frameworks: paradiplomacy, sustainable development, and critical discourse analysis. Primary data were collected through interviews with relevant local government officials in Bali and secondary data were gathered from academic articles, official websites, and online news items. This paper identified two most prominent sectors of this cooperation, namely: tourism and culture. These two areas align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While clearly connected with governmental and international goals, challenges remain in implementing sister province cooperation, achieving continuity among the parties involved, and dealing with funding limitations.

Risks of using digital technologies in the activities of local government bodies

The subject. The article analyzes the existing practice of implementation and use of digital technologies at the municipal level. The choice of the research object is conditioned by the fact that currently most acts in the field of digitalization of public authority affect the federal or regional level, meanwhile, the digital transformation of local self-government has its own specificity, due to the peculiarities of this level of social management, which should be taken into account in the legal regulation.The purpose of the study: identify the risks that have a negative impact on the process of digital transformation of local governance, and propose measures to minimize or eliminate the identified risks by legal means.Methodology. The research utilized integrated and interdisciplinary approaches. The methodological basis of the study was formed by a set of methods of cognition, the main of which were: methods of formal and dialectical logic and analysis, comparative-legal and system-structural methods, as well as sociological methods of research.Conclusions. The following conclusions were made based on the results of the research:1.The main risks of introducing digital technologies in the activities of local government are: the risk of violating the security and confidentiality of personal data of citizens during their processing and storage in the digital systems of local government; the risk of cyberattacks, hacking or unauthorized access to information systems operated by municipal authorities; the risk of insufficient legal regulation of the introduction and use of digital technologies; the risk of using inappropriate or low-quality digital technology.2.The following measures are proposed as measures to minimize the identified risks: systematic mandatory informing of both local government officials and the public on the correct procedure and liability measures for the implementation and operation of digital technologies, transmission, storage and processing of personal data, etc., which will contribute to the formation of the necessary level of legal literacy; revision of the system of penalties for deliberate violations in the field of operation of digital technologies by local government officials; organize control over the acts adopted by local government bodies with the involvement of the population and the use of digital technologies to receive feedback from the population on the acts adopted by local government bodies; develop and consolidate the principles and procedures for the introduction and use of end-to-end digital technologies in the activities of state and municipal authorities; provide for the possibility of revising any decision made in case of a technical failure that occurred in the course of the decision-making process; provide for the use of digital technologies in the activities of state and municipal authorities; and provide for the use of digital technologies in the activities of local government bodies.

Образ самарского предпринимателя М. Д. Челышова

The process of formation and development of entrepreneurship affected all spheres of economic and socio-cultural sphere of the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries, which contributed to the formation of a new layer of business community, actively involved in the activities of local government and the first Russian parliament. In the present article an attempt to reconstruct the biography of one of the prominent entrepreneurs of Samara province M. D. Chelyshov, who in addition to economic activity, participating in the work of the city Duma, city head and deputy of the III State Duma was engaged in solving urban, regional and national problems, which allowed to determine the characteristic features of his personality.

Cultivating Urban Agriculture Policies: Local Government Entrepreneurs’ Strategies in Three Brazilian Cities

Urban agriculture (UA) is increasingly recognized in policy and academic discussions for its potential to promote sustainable food systems and reduce food insecurity. Due to their proximity to citizens, local governments are well-positioned to advance these initiatives. However, the factors that drive governments in densely populated cities to develop UA policies remain relatively understudied, especially in the Global South. To address this gap, we employ a comparative case study approach based on key informant interviews and documents to examine how local government actors pursue UA policies in the Brazilian cities of Recife, Rio de Janeiro, and Curitiba. We find that certain municipal bureaucrats act as “policy entrepreneurs,” emerging as pivotal figures in creating, maintaining, and adapting municipal UA policies in Brazilian cities. These policy entrepreneurs use a number of strategies to advance their policy preferences, secure resources, and legitimize their actions within the public administration. These approaches include collaborating with civil society, forging partnerships within and outside of government, framing their proposals within international policy guidelines, and leveraging media coverage and external recognition. In doing so, policy entrepreneurs shape UA policies by introducing new programs, making them resilient to changes related to electoral turnover, and diversifying initiatives from direct government support for gardeners to, for example, incorporating UA into urban planning regulations. This article thus provides valuable insights for policymakers and underscores the crucial role of local government bureaucrats, particularly those acting as policy entrepreneurs, in shaping policies that contribute to making cities sustainable.

Conflict Management and Resolution in Uganda: A case of Ntungamo District Local Government

The study focused on conflict management on resolution in Ntungamo District Local Government. Specifically to identify the influence of arbitration on resolution, to examine the influence of negotiation on resolution and to examine the influence of confrontation on resolution in Ntungamo District Local Government. The research used case study design. The study used purposive random sampling to select documents in the study that helped to gather detailed information on conflict resolution. The data study used secondary source of data collection with the sample size of 6 articles were considered. Data was analysed using content analysis for qualitative data. The study found out that local council courts were established to bring justice nearer to the people. The grading of the courts is based on the administrative units created by the local Government Act (Cap 243). Every village, parish, sub county and division/town councils is established as a local council court according to Local councils Courts Act. The law establishes local courts for the administration of Justice at local levels, defines their jurisdictional powers and procedures. The study also found out that LCs are viewed as popular organs created to counter and hold in check abuses of the civil servants and all other state functionaries. The study recommends that Ntungamo Local Government actors should be capacitated with the skills and knowledge to manage conflict is a proactive measure that will support their efforts to prevent and mitigate conflicts that may arise in these increasingly densely populated urban environments

БАТКЕН ОБЛУСУНУН ӨЗГӨЧӨ СТАТУСУ ЖАНА ЖЕРГИЛИКТҮҮ ӨЗ АЛДЫНЧА БАШКАРУУ ОРГАНДАРЫНЫН ӨЗ АРА АРАКЕТТЕНҮҮСҮ, ОБЛУСТУН АЙМАГЫНДА ИШТЕГЕН ӨЗГӨЧӨ РЕЖИМДЕР

This scientific article explores the special status of the Batken region in the context of the interaction of local governments and special modes of operation on its territory. The purpose of the study is to analyze the mechanisms of regulating relations between central and local authorities within the framework of a special status, as well as to assess the effectiveness of special modes of operation for the development of the territory. The research methodology is based on the analysis of legislative acts, scientific literature, empirical data and interviews with representatives of local governments and experts on regional policy. In the course of the work, the current situation in the Batken region will be analyzed, the features of the special status of the territory and its impact on the activities of local governments will be determined. Special attention is paid to the special modes of operation in the region and their impact on the socio-economic development of the region. The paper provides information on the special status of the Batken region and the activities of local authorities, as well as on emergency regimes operating on its territory.

Innovating Imihigo: a decentralisation and indigenous governance mechanism in Rwanda

ABSTRACT Imihigo, Rwanda’s flagship performance barometer, is praised for its cultural innovation while being criticised for instrumentalising the regime’s international credibility. Both views gloss over several thematic points, including the strategic self-criticism Imihigo affords. We triangulate fieldwork data collected from local government actors and non-state agents in four districts with secondary data to analyse the quotidian strategies undergirding the spread of, and governance responses to, Imihigo. Our analysis demonstrates three key points. First, the decentralisation reform offers the requisite institutional backdrop for officials to articulate Imihigo as a cultural innovation for local governance and regime legitimacy. The state’s reasonable support for Imihigo incentivises local service delivery, although this is used by the regime to control the local arena. Consequentially, Rwandans’ interest in Imihigo frames a forum for official criticism. Our study shows a paradoxical use of cultural and modern norms for contemporary governance through a strong state committed to producing results.

Внешние и внутренние угрозы как фактор риска для ведения эффективной политической коммуникации органов местного самоуправления

The article outlines the features of political communication of local governments in the context of new information challenges and threats. The role of municipal administrations in the formation of the information field is determined by the example of the Saratov region. The tasks facing the heads of local administrations in the process of information and communication support of their professional activities in social networks are analyzed. The risk factors for information support of the activities of local governments in the modern information space are identified. The article also examines information threats related to both internal processes and external factors of influence that local administrations of both large and small municipalities have to work with in the information space. The author also defines a number of criteria and recommendations that contribute to reducing information risks and threats, which significantly improve the effectiveness of political communication of local governments.

Polycentric governance, epistocracy and the limits of policing knowledge in preparing for the climate crisis

ABSTRACT The last two decades have seen an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, placing complex demands on police and emergency services in the UK. Despite the growing recognition of the cascading and multidimensional threats, there is limited understanding of how policing and local governance actors are preparing for the climate crisis. In this paper, we argue that polycentric governance approaches, such as the Local Resilience Forums (LRFs), provide an essential focal point for emergency planning and disaster response activity that is rooted in localised contexts. However, while the LRFs are designed to benefit from the inclusion of a broad range of actors, dominant mentalities, knowledge hierarchies and powerful actors may limit their epistemic potential. We propose that a pathway towards a resilient and adaptive policing agenda for the Anthropocene necessitates acknowledging the limits of policing knowledge, expertise and traditional command-and-control mentalities. We draw on the notion of epistocracy to propose a policy and research agenda for police and partner agencies to harness the epistemic potential of LRFs. By adopting approaches to leverage pluralised forms of knowledge and identifying strategies for co-opting community-based actors in emergency planning and response activities, police and partner agencies can strengthen local capacity-building and better promote local resilience and adaptation efforts.

Vietnamese Citizen Participation in Local Governance

Local governance is characterized by the interaction between government agencies and people in the local social management process, in which people are encouraged to actively play a part in government management activities as regulated by laws. This study addresses the people's rights to directly and indirectly participate in local governance activities in Vietnam. A survey of 360 people from 4 localities representing three regions of Vietnam, including Thai Binh province, Hung Yen province (Northern region), Quang Binh province (Central region), Ca Mau province (Northern region) was conducted to evaluate citizen participation in governance activities of commune-level authorities. The results show that the citizen participation in local governance activities do exist, but are limited to the direct participation. To some extent, the people also have rights to self-determine local issues on infrastructure construction and public welfare projects with their own contributions; however, their self-development of programs and projects and proposals to local authorities for implementation has not been clearly demonstrated. These findings suggest expanding the people's rights to participate in local governance activities as innovations for the improvement local governance effectiveness.

The need for proactive environmental planning in local government: Examining challenges and pathways forward in Indiana

ABSTRACT Many factors, including regulations, community values, and economic and environmental considerations, influence environmental planning decisions. Across the nation, local elected and appointed boards and commissions are responsible for planning and land use regulations. However, few studies have focused on environmental planning through comprehensive and parks and recreation plans. Using Indiana communities as a case study, this research highlights the theory and practice of environmental planning and community development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and the presence of social capital. Statewide focus groups found that communities integrate varying environmental planning processes into comprehensive and parks and recreation plans. As a result, these plans represent underutilized potential to guide conservation and collaboration. Integrating environmental planning into local government activities is limited by time, political will, and community awareness. As such, communities need continued support and resources to build social capital that leads to engaging with the public, decision-makers, and collaborators in meaningful ways to foster effective environmental planning.

Twice as effective: business environment, SME owners’ satisfaction, and local government revenue performance

ABSTRACT Spatial disparities in human and social capital, entrepreneurial culture, and industrial specialisation emphasise the pivotal role of local governments in shaping the business environment. Nevertheless, scant attention has been accorded to the complex relationships between local government activities, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners’ satisfaction, and subsequent local economic outcomes. Using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling on data from 513 SME owners, we found that higher SME owner satisfaction is positively associated with increased local employment and amplified municipal tax revenues from SMEs. Interestingly, our results indicate a negative relationship between SME owner satisfaction and the annual change in self-employment rates within the locality. This study contributes to the literature by empirically linking local government services to tangible economic outcomes through SME owners’ satisfaction. It provides valuable insights for policymakers on optimising the local business environment to foster SME growth and enhance municipal economic performance.

Diaspora and development: The IOM's role in diaspora mapping in Bosnia and Herzegovina

AbstractDiaspora governance strategies are part of an increasingly vibrant academic and policy debate. International organisations play a significant role in promoting diaspora institutions, collaborating with home states, diaspora communities, and other stakeholders. In post‐conflict states, the involvement, and evolving roles of international organisations, among a variety of actors in diaspora institution building, is implicit but has been underresearched. This article analyses a diaspora mapping exercise led by the IOM to demonstrate how an institutional logics perspective can help to better understand how such processes unfold. Taking an organisational perspective, it sheds light on the interplay among international organisations, state agencies, local government, and individual actors in diaspora and development. By focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the study offers insights into the challenges and opportunities in diaspora engagement in post‐conflict countries. It underscores the need for further research and the long‐term implications of international organisations' efforts in diaspora development programs and diaspora governance.

Analysis of Acceptance and Use of the MyKopay Application Using the UTAUT 2 and EUCS Models

The government of Payakumbuh City introduced the MyKopay application through the Department of Communication and Information as a means to provide public services and information related to local government activities. This study aims to analyze the acceptance and use of the MyKopay application using two models: the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT 2) and End-User Computing Satisfaction (EUCS). Additionally, it seeks to identify aspects of the application that need improvement and maintenance. The research method is descriptive quantitative. The research findings indicate that factors such as Content, Accuracy, Format, Timeliness, Ease of Use, Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonic Motivation, Price Value, Habit, and User Satisfaction do not have a significant positive impact on User Satisfaction or Behavioral Intention. However, Behavioral Intention has been proven to have a significant positive effect on Use Behavior. Age and gender factors strengthen the Habit variable and have a significant positive impact on Use Behavior. The research results show that the MyKopay application has been accepted and used by the people of Payakumbuh City

Трансформация системы целей и ценностей местного самоуправления в контексте формирования публичной власти в Российской Федерации

The article is devoted to the study of the transformation of the goals and values of local governments in the context of the formation of public authority in Russian Federation. Within the framework of the study, the issues of the conceptual contradiction between the goals of the activities of local governments and public authorities are addressed. The prospects for the development of the goals of local governments and the emergence of new values in the context of the functioning of the system of public authorities are analyzed. Proposals are made to eliminate conceptual contradictions in the development of the goals and values of local governments and public authorities. The issue of developing the values of local self-government through the institution of territorial public self-government, which acts as a condition for the formation of a civil society with inherent characteristics, is considered.

Ensuring the functioning of society in activities of local governments under the legal regime of martial law

The scientific article is devoted to the study of the activities of local self-government bodies during the period of martial law in ensuring the functioning of society, characterization of the concept, competence and features of local self-government bodies, and types of local selfgovernment bodies. The article examines the scientific and regulatory approaches to defining the most important functions of local authorities, in particular, ensuring the constitutional rights and security of citizens. Local self-government during the period of martial law faces many challenges on a daily basis. That is why this topic is extremely relevant and requires scientific substantiation and research. The decentralization reform has laid the foundation for the activities of competent local governments. However, the unjustified military aggression has changed the usual rhythm of work of regional and district councils, as well as local authorities. The peculiarity of this legal regime is the creation of temporary state bodies, including military authorities. They operate in parallel with autonomous local governments. However, there are cases when the military administration can assume the powers of local self-government bodies if the local council does not meet on time. Local self-government in Ukraine is a right guaranteed and enforced by the state and a territorial community – a voluntary association of residents of a village, villages or several villages, cities – to address local issues within the limits determined by the current legislation, may be formed independently or subordinated to officials and self-government bodies. Local self-government is designed to strengthen the foundations of the constitutional order of Ukraine, ensure the implementation of constitutional principles, human and civil rights, create conditions for meeting the vital needs and legitimate interests of citizens, and develop local democracy. During the legal regime of martial law, military authorities exercise the powers of local state authorities and part of local self-government bodies, as defined by the current legislation. Therefore, the role of local state authorities and local self-government bodies in ensuring the quality functioning of society is very important.

Координация деятельности органов публичной власти как субъектов системы обеспечения безопасности дорожного движения

safety for. The problem of simultaneous assignment of coordination functions in the sphere of road safety to the Government Commission and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia is raised. The gap of federal legislation in terms of determining the coordination of local government activities in this area is noted. The mechanisms of coordination are analyzed on the example of coordination of legal acts, documents on the organization of road traffic, implementation of regional projects and implementation of state control (supervision) over the activities of executive bodies of public authority.

Maintaining spatial and social order: the role of housing development in governing urban margins

This paper investigates processes of spatially ordered marginality of Roma in a former industrial town in Hungary. The analysis focuses on local poverty governance tactics and practices that aim to maintain social and spatial order through the regulation and selective displacement of Roma within the city. These practices of controlling Roma marginality are clear manifestations of the spatialization and racialization of poverty and I argue that spatial containment constitutes a new mode of poverty governance that aims to temper local tensions and cement local power. Moreover, these local policies reflect continuity from socialist era practices in terms of governing Roma marginality through disciplining and displacement. In the present context, EU-funded urban rehabilitation projects represent a vital local resource. While ostensibly targeting social integration, the local government in question has used these resources to promote the mobility of ‘deserving’ vulnerable groups and control ‘undeserving’ marginalized Roma through enclosure. Those who are seen as undeserving are racialized and subject to punitive containment while the ‘deserving’ enjoy material support and a sense of belonging to local society, provided they accept the conditions dictated by local government actors. In this way, the emphasis on individual responsibility masks the structural deficiencies of social housing and related social issues and perpetuates different forms of racism.

Razem o dziedzictwie. Budowa marki instytucji kultury w kontekście marki miasta. Studium przypadku Poznańskiego Centrum Dziedzictwa

The article is concerned with professional marketing activities of cultural institutions and local governments. The article showcases the importance of local heritage and its influence on their distinctive and competitive character. The aim of the research is to attempt to complete the process of creating the cultural institution’s brand in the context of the city’s brand by the example of Poznań Heritage Centre. The background of the discussed issues is the presentation of the specificity of marketing activities in the culture industry and local government. The research conclusions show that the use of the brand model is an effective way to manage a cultural institution and provide effective support for the city’s image. The article was written using the method of analysing the literature and presenting a case study.