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Decentralization is not an end in itself but rather a necessary reform safeguarding the delivery of public services that match local citizens’ needs and increasing empowerment and participation in local political processes. In the course of democratic reforms in developing countries since the early and mid 1990s, decentralization policies have become a cornerstone of political and administrative reforms.b

There are good reasons for promoting democracy. Democratic states have proven successful in building stable societies with competitive economies and functioning public service systems. Compared to autocratic states, democratic systems are less prone to conflict. Support for young democracies has been high on the agenda of international partners since the 1990s, when a wave of democratizations swept the globe. In the beginning the focus lay primarily on supporting the establishment of democratic structures. Democratic constitutions granting civic and human rights, systems of regular elections, and even participatory dialogue mechanisms in policymaking have been created in numerous countries all over the world.