Decentralization and Party Politics in the Dominican Republic

Recently in the Dominican Republic, a pro-municipal social alliance pressed for decentralization and politicians yielded, seeking power in three-party competition. This study examines how electoral, financial, and administrative power has been dispersed and suggests innovative strategies to maintain decentralizing momentum.

Autorentext

Christopher Mitchell is Professor Emertius of Politics at New York University, USA.

Inhalt

1. Introduction 2. Measures and Initiatives Favoring Decentralization, 1994-2008 3. The Deep Roots and Local Consequences of Dominican Centralism 4. A Decentralizing Coalition Finds Political Leverage 5. Party Alliances, the Municipios, and Decentralization 6. Dominican Decentralization Moves towards Maturity, 1996-2013 7. Pushback against Decentralization, and its Links with Influence over Nominations 8. Assessing Alternative Explanations of Dominican Decentralization 9. Pro-decentralization Strategies for the Future