‘Reinventing’ Local Government: The Czech Case

Abstract

The institution (or reinstitution) of local government in former communist countries faces complex problems of legal transition and organization reorientation.¹ They take place in an overall process of societal change. In the Czech case, a new constitutional legislation has provided the basis for the institutionalization of local government, the reorganization of municipal boundaries and a new division of powers and responsibilities. This process implies a new division of functions — not only within central government but mainly between the state and local authorities. The (re)institutionalization of local government and the devolution of powers to the local level poses difficult questions concerning the development of democratic practices and managerial skills. The task of institutionalizing a public-oriented and effective local government is compounded by the post-1989 proliferation of local authorities. In what can be understood as a reversal (somewhat irrational reaction) of the commanded amalgamation of municipalities in the early 1980s under the communist regime, the decentralizing trends initiated by the new democratic government resulted in a major increase in the number of local authorities. Thus, despite the relative small size of the country, there are about 6,200 municipalities in the present Czech Republic — ranging from 18 inhabitants to more than 1.2 million. This chapter discusses key aspects of the local government in the Czech republic as a result of sweeping political, economic, and social change. It outlines the legal, institutional and financial framework put in place after 1989, in the,context of rapid decentralization and deregulation processes. This is followed by a discussion of problems associated with fragmentation, role definition, and uncertainty, as well as lack of management experience, strategic planning skills, training, and resources.