The Political Economy of Democratic Decentralisation in Urban Bangladesh

Democratic decentralisation can be used for real empowerment of the locals, as well as for a narrower self-interest of the central authority to ensure their socio-political and economic support base. This case study paper explores the political economy of democratic decentralisation in Bangladesh and its manifestations in the urban local governance process. In doing so, it first offers historical analysis of the genesis of the local government system in Bangladesh. Thereafter it analyses central–local relations, internal power and authority structure of Municipal Corporations, intra-organisational relations, and Municipal Corporations-civil society relations.