Occasional decentralization: analysing the nature and realities of devolution in Georgia

The research paper is an empirical investigation of the political economy of decentralization in Georgia, particularly the type and level of devolution as has been attained. It examines the timeline, the design and the trajectories of decentralization policies, finds out the role of the actors in the decentralization process and explores the realities beyond devolution. In order to answer the main research question ‘how has decentralization discourse been framed in Georgia?’, the research first examines the sequential theory and the political economy of decentralization in order to analytical explain the type and level of decentralization in Geor-gia, as well as to examine the role of participants in decentralization process. Second, in order to bring an image of the actual application of devolution, the local administrative discretion and decision-making power of the selected municipalities are being examined. Third, the study explores the balance between informal upward and formal downward accountability mechanisms in order to understand the role and influence of the regional governor in regard to local decision-making. Literature review presents the main discussions and debates regard-ing decentralization and prepares ground for the conceptual framework regarding the con-cepts such as maintaining administrative power, the information asymmetry, the bargain for power and the accountability lines. The concepts help to analytically explain the main story of decentralization and the nature of devolution based on the participants’ narrative. The methodology used in the research project is a single-case study, mix of primary and secondary qualitative data. The primary data is obtained through qualitative interviewing, the secondary data includes published articles, legal documents, relevant research, assessment reports and policy papers.