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Articles · Vol. 32 No 1 (2007): Afrique et développement

District Assemblies in a Fix: The Perils of Self-Seeking Tendencies in Decentralisation Policy Reforms in Malawi

  • Blessings Chinsinga
    Blessings Chinsinga
    Department of Political and Administrative Studies, Chancellor College, P.O Box 280, Zomba, Malawi. E-mail: kchinsinga@yahoo.co.uk
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Vol. 32 · 2007 N°1 Afrique et développement AD

Résumé

Cet article aborde les perspectives du système des Assemblées de District inauguré sous les auspices des réformes de la politique de décentralisation, introduit pour institutionnaliser des structures et des processus de gouvernance locale réceptifs, démocratiques et capables d’améliorer les moyens de subsistance des populations démunies. S’il semble y avoir un consensus raisonnable sur le souhait de disposer d’un cadre de planification décentralisée pour servir de vecteur pour réaliser une gouvernance durable, le développement et la réduction de la pauvreté, il demeure cependant que la plupart des acteurs concernés semblent avoir pour préoccupation première la poursuite, la sauvegarde et la satisfaction d’intérêts personnels. Par conséquent, l’idée générale de l’argumentation dans ce papier est que tant que ces tendances égoïstes ne sont pas bien domptées, le triptyque bonne gouvernance, développement et réduction de la pauvreté dans les structures et processus dynamiques de la gouvernance locale restera une pure utopie.

Blessings Chinsinga, Department of Political and Administrative Studies, Chancellor College, P.O Box 280, Zomba, Malawi. E-mail: kchinsinga@yahoo.co.uk

District Assemblies in a Fix: The Perils of Self-Seeking Tendencies in Decentralisation Policy Reforms in Malawi

This article appraises the prospects of the District Assembly system inaugu- rated under the auspices of decentralisation policy reforms introduced to insti- tutionalise local governance structures and processes that are responsive, demo- cratic, and capable of improving the livelihoods of the poor. While there seems to be reasonable consensus about the desirability of a decentralised planning framework as a vehicle for sustainable governance, development and poverty reduction, most stakeholders are nevertheless primarily motivated by the desire to advance, safeguard and gratify self-interests. Therefore, the major thrust of the argument of this paper is that unless these self-seeking tendencies are effec- tively tamed, the trinity of good governance, development and poverty reduc- tion in the evolving structures and processes of local government will remain an unattainable ideal.

 

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Biographie de l'auteur/ice

  • Blessings Chinsinga

    Department of Political and Administrative Studies, Chancellor College, P.O Box 280, Zomba, Malawi. E-mail: kchinsinga@yahoo.co.uk

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