Even though the concept of decentralization has received extensive treatment in the literature, (Maddick,1962; Fesler, 1965; Kaufman, 1969; Laubadere, 1973; Kochen & Deutsch, 1980; Cohen et ale ,1981; Rondinelli,1981; onyers,1983; Smith,1985; Gonidec,1985; Adamolekun et al.1990), there is as yet no consensus as to its precise meaning and content either within academic or professional circles. Rondinelli, (1981), asserts that decentralization is often discussed and proposed by government officials and staffs of international aid agencies without a concise conception of its meaning and without a real understanding of the alternative forms that decentralization can take. According to Cohen et al., (1981), there are a number of activities which parade under the banner of decentralization viz; devolution, deconcentration, delegation to autonomous agencies, delegation to parallel organizations, worker's self-management. On the other hand, Sherwood (1969), argues that devolution is not decentralization. For him, decentralization refers to an intraorganizational pattern of power relationships, whereas devolution involves an interorganizational pattern of power relationships (Sherwood,1969).

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Boer, S. de
hdl.handle.net/2105/9238
Public Policy and Administration (PPA)
International Institute of Social Studies

Gemandze, Bobuin John. (1994, December). The failure of decentralization policy in Cameroon:. Public Policy and Administration (PPA). Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2105/9238