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Centralization and Decentralization

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  • First Online:
Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance

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Synonyms

Consolidation & fragmentation; Direct rule & Indirect rule; Unite & spread (out)

Definition

Centralization is the method and approach of administration that manages all services and power from the center. This requires the unification of control and activities under a state authority. Decentralization, on the other hand, is a method and approach by which powers and responsibilities are transferred to units away from the center. It is the transfer of authority from central administration to (state and/or) local administrations or governments.

Introduction

There are two processes for the regulation and enforcement of public services and public power: centraliz(s)ation and decentraliz(s)ation. However, Aucoin and Bakvis (1988: 115) argues that this is a conondrum since “…in principle and in practice the proper functioning and the management complex organizations require simultaneous existence of both centralization and decentralization.”

Centralization

Centralization is the...

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Political Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

    Can Umut Çiner

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  1. Can Umut Çiner
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Correspondence to Can Umut Çiner .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

    Ali Farazmand

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Çiner, C.U. (2016). Centralization and Decentralization. In: Farazmand, A. (eds) Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_2451-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_2451-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31816-5

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