Includes bibliographical references (p. [121]-130) and index.

Ch. 1. Decentralization: definitions, theories and debate. 1. Introduction. 2. Types of Decentralization. 2.1. Administrative Decentralization. 2.2. Political Decentralization. 2.3. Fiscal Decentralization. 2.4. Economic or Market Decentralization. 3. The Theoretical Debate on Decentralization. 4. Can Decentralization Destabilize Economic Reform? -- Ch. 2. The General Structure of Decentralization in Mali and Ghana. 1. Overview. 2. Mali. 2.1. The Country at a Glance. 2.2. The Political Environment. 2.3. Economic Development. 2.4. Constitutional Reforms and the Structure of Decentralization. 2.5. Structure of Local Representation. 2.6. Powers and Responsibilities of the Various Levels of Government. 3. Ghana. 3.1. The Country at a Glance. 3.2. The Political Context. 3.3. The Economic Context. 3.4. The Current Macroeconomic Situation. 3.5. The Background to the Current Decentralization Process. 3.6. Constitutional Reforms and Decentralization.

3.7. The Configuration of Local Government and Governance. 3.8. On Local District Finances and the Creation of a Common Fund. 3.9. Of the Influence of Central Government on Local Affairs -- Ch. 3. The General Structure of Decentralization in Burkina Faso and Benin. 1. Burkina Faso. 1.1. The Country at a Glance. 1.2. Political Environment and Economic Context. 1.3. Constitutional Reform and Decentralization in Burkina Faso. 1.4. The Structure of Decentralization in Burkina Faso. 1.5. Configuration of Local Leadership. 2. Benin. 2.1. A Brief Historical Background. 2.2. Current Economic Conditions. 2.3. Constitutional Requirements and Decentralization in Benin. 2.4. Decentralization, Deconcentration and Intergovernmental Relations. 2.5. The Configuration of the Decentralized Sub-national Governments. 2.6. On the Particular Status of the Three Largest Cities -- Ch. 4. The General Structure of Fiscal Decentralization in Four African Countries. 1. General Considerations.

2. Designing a Fiscal Decentralization Program. 3. The Role and Impact of International Development Aid. 4. The Structure of Fiscal Decentralization in Mali. 4.1. Intergovernmental and International Transfers and Decentralization in Mali. 5. The Structure of Fiscal Decentralization in Ghana. 5.1. Grants-in-aid. 5.2. Recurrent Expenditure Transfers (or Personnel Emoluments). 5.3. Ceded Revenue. 5.4. District Assemblies' Common Fund. 5.5. On the Fiscal Decentralization Project (Ministry of Finance) in Ghana. 6. The Structure of Fiscal Decentralization in Burkina Faso. 6.1. Intergovernmental and International Transfers and Decentralization in Burkina Faso. 7. The Structure of Fiscal Decentralization in Benin. 7.1. Intergovernmental and International Transfers and Decentralization in Benin -- Ch. 5. Empirical Evidence on Fiscal Decentralization in Four African Countries. 1. Understanding the Data. 2. Quality Indicators of Fiscal Decentralization.

3. The Quantitative Indicators. 3.1. The Municipal Development Program Methodology. 3.2. Sub-National Tax Recovery. 3.3. Sub-National Tax Autonomy. 3.4. Sources of Local Communities' Revenue. 3.5. Local Communities Expenditures -- Ch. 6. The Macroeconomic Impacts of Fiscal Decentralization. 1. General Considerations. 2. Statistical Evidence on Intergovernmental Coordination Failures. 3. Analyzing the Data. 3.1. Graphical Analysis. 3.2. Regression Analysis -- Ch. 7. Conclusions and Recommendations. 1. On the Fiscal Strength of Local Communities. 2. Some Suggestions on Improving Intergovernmental Fiscal Coordination. 3. On Local Government Borrowing Capabilities. 4. The importance of Associating Local Governments to Central Government Decision-making Process. 5. Final Remarks.