Suchergebnisse

This Public sector of economics master's work topic is relevant, because the autonomy of local government affects processes such as: offering of public goods, services, reduction of social protection and poverty, development of financial sector, stability of macroeconomic and others. For that reason the evaluation and analysis of the level of fiscal decentralization in the country is needed. The problem of this work – what is the level of fiscal decentralization in Lithuania and is it sufficient for Lithuania. The object of the work is fiscal decentralization and the purpose – to evaluate fiscal decentralization of 2005–2009 years in Lithuania. To achieve this purpose the following tasks are raised: to define the conception of fiscal decentralization; to review the development of local government and legal framework of fiscal decentralization in Lithuania; to discuss the local financial system based on components of fiscal decentralization; to analyze the level of fiscal decentralization of 2005–2009 years in Lithuania and compare with Latvia and Estonia; to present conclusions and suggestions for fiscal decentralization in Lithuania. The hypothesis has been proven – the level of fiscal decentralization of 2005–2009 years in Lithuania is insufficient. For preparation of this master's work such research methods was used: literature analysis, legislative analysis, statistical analysis, systematic and logical analysis, comparative and sociological analysis and also graphical analysis of simulation. The results showed that the level of fiscal decentralization in Lithuania, taking into an account the four components of fiscal decentralization, is insufficient. In period of 2005–2009 years the medium and insufficient level of fiscal decentralization is fixated, but also it lags behind Latvia and Estonia. It is also important to distinguish the fact, that the corruption and incompetence factors makes influence on autonomy of the local governments, therefore fiscal decentralization in Lithuania should be developed to a certain level according to these objective reasons and a monitoring and reporting control system of financial resources must be created.

This Public sector of economics master's work topic is relevant, because the autonomy of local government affects processes such as: offering of public goods, services, reduction of social protection and poverty, development of financial sector, stability of macroeconomic and others. For that reason the evaluation and analysis of the level of fiscal decentralization in the country is needed. The problem of this work – what is the level of fiscal decentralization in Lithuania and is it sufficient for Lithuania. The object of the work is fiscal decentralization and the purpose – to evaluate fiscal decentralization of 2005–2009 years in Lithuania. To achieve this purpose the following tasks are raised: to define the conception of fiscal decentralization; to review the development of local government and legal framework of fiscal decentralization in Lithuania; to discuss the local financial system based on components of fiscal decentralization; to analyze the level of fiscal decentralization of 2005–2009 years in Lithuania and compare with Latvia and Estonia; to present conclusions and suggestions for fiscal decentralization in Lithuania. The hypothesis has been proven – the level of fiscal decentralization of 2005–2009 years in Lithuania is insufficient. For preparation of this master's work such research methods was used: literature analysis, legislative analysis, statistical analysis, systematic and logical analysis, comparative and sociological analysis and also graphical analysis of simulation. The results showed that the level of fiscal decentralization in Lithuania, taking into an account the four components of fiscal decentralization, is insufficient. In period of 2005–2009 years the medium and insufficient level of fiscal decentralization is fixated, but also it lags behind Latvia and Estonia. It is also important to distinguish the fact, that the corruption and incompetence factors makes influence on autonomy of the local governments, therefore fiscal decentralization in Lithuania should be developed to a certain level according to these objective reasons and a monitoring and reporting control system of financial resources must be created.

The internal decentralization of local government is a type of reorganization of municipal management and (or) provision of public service when the power from higher hierarchical levels of entities is transmitted to lower hierarchical levels, or when the power is divided between few or the same numbers of hierarchical level of entities. This issue was chosen because it is a relatively new in Lithuanian public policy and therefore here is still a lack of case study of this matter. The relevance of the issue is strengthened by the fact that the results of implementation of the first phase of intra-municipal decentralization concept are a base for the goals and directions of the second phase. According to the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the Concept of Intra-municipal Decentralization, the law of Republic of Lithuania Public Administration, the internal municipal decentralization must be implemented by making effective decisions. The object of this paper work is the internal decentralization of local government in Lithuania: the case study of function transmission of residence declaration. The goal of this paper work is to assess whether the internal municipal decentralization started effectively in Lithuania. The term of effectiveness covers both economic (saving budget) and social (better representation of local community needs) aspects. This paper work examinates the case of function reporting of residence to the ward which is the highest intra-municipal decentralization project so far achieved. For achieving this goal the following main tasks were formulated: • According to various author's research review the key issues of intra-municipal decentralization and form a theoretical background – the assessment model of internal decentralization of local government performance. • To analyze the case of function reporting of residence to the ward under the formed model. • To analyze the influence of different interest groups and determine which interest groups mostly affect on the intra-municipal decentralization in Lithuania. The matter under investigation is: key question is – whether internal municipal decentralization which is started in Lithuania is being implemented effectively? Side-issue questions are: do the projects approved by Government maximize total welfare? What is the position of interest groups in respect of intra-municipal decentralization in Lithuania? The paper work hypothesizes two aspects: • Costs of intra-municipal decentralization implementation are higher than it's benefits. • Internal decentralization of local government – it is an alternative policy option to increase the number of municipalities rather than to ensure the better meet of local community's needs. Both hypotheses are confirmed so it can be stated that internal decentralization of local government is a specific direction of wider public policy management with its distinctive goals, targets and methods of implementation.

The internal decentralization of local government is a type of reorganization of municipal management and (or) provision of public service when the power from higher hierarchical levels of entities is transmitted to lower hierarchical levels, or when the power is divided between few or the same numbers of hierarchical level of entities. This issue was chosen because it is a relatively new in Lithuanian public policy and therefore here is still a lack of case study of this matter. The relevance of the issue is strengthened by the fact that the results of implementation of the first phase of intra-municipal decentralization concept are a base for the goals and directions of the second phase. According to the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the Concept of Intra-municipal Decentralization, the law of Republic of Lithuania Public Administration, the internal municipal decentralization must be implemented by making effective decisions. The object of this paper work is the internal decentralization of local government in Lithuania: the case study of function transmission of residence declaration. The goal of this paper work is to assess whether the internal municipal decentralization started effectively in Lithuania. The term of effectiveness covers both economic (saving budget) and social (better representation of local community needs) aspects. This paper work examinates the case of function reporting of residence to the ward which is the highest intra-municipal decentralization project so far achieved. For achieving this goal the following main tasks were formulated: • According to various author's research review the key issues of intra-municipal decentralization and form a theoretical background – the assessment model of internal decentralization of local government performance. • To analyze the case of function reporting of residence to the ward under the formed model. • To analyze the influence of different interest groups and determine which interest groups mostly affect on the intra-municipal decentralization in Lithuania. The matter under investigation is: key question is – whether internal municipal decentralization which is started in Lithuania is being implemented effectively? Side-issue questions are: do the projects approved by Government maximize total welfare? What is the position of interest groups in respect of intra-municipal decentralization in Lithuania? The paper work hypothesizes two aspects: • Costs of intra-municipal decentralization implementation are higher than it's benefits. • Internal decentralization of local government – it is an alternative policy option to increase the number of municipalities rather than to ensure the better meet of local community's needs. Both hypotheses are confirmed so it can be stated that internal decentralization of local government is a specific direction of wider public policy management with its distinctive goals, targets and methods of implementation.

The internal decentralization of local government is a type of reorganization of municipal management and (or) provision of public service when the power from higher hierarchical levels of entities is transmitted to lower hierarchical levels, or when the power is divided between few or the same numbers of hierarchical level of entities. This issue was chosen because it is a relatively new in Lithuanian public policy and therefore here is still a lack of case study of this matter. The relevance of the issue is strengthened by the fact that the results of implementation of the first phase of intra-municipal decentralization concept are a base for the goals and directions of the second phase. According to the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the Concept of Intra-municipal Decentralization, the law of Republic of Lithuania Public Administration, the internal municipal decentralization must be implemented by making effective decisions. The object of this paper work is the internal decentralization of local government in Lithuania: the case study of function transmission of residence declaration. The goal of this paper work is to assess whether the internal municipal decentralization started effectively in Lithuania. The term of effectiveness covers both economic (saving budget) and social (better representation of local community needs) aspects. This paper work examinates the case of function reporting of residence to the ward which is the highest intra-municipal decentralization project so far achieved. For achieving this goal the following main tasks were formulated: • According to various author's research review the key issues of intra-municipal decentralization and form a theoretical background – the assessment model of internal decentralization of local government performance. • To analyze the case of function reporting of residence to the ward under the formed model. • To analyze the influence of different interest groups and determine which interest groups mostly affect on the intra-municipal decentralization in Lithuania. The matter under investigation is: key question is – whether internal municipal decentralization which is started in Lithuania is being implemented effectively? Side-issue questions are: do the projects approved by Government maximize total welfare? What is the position of interest groups in respect of intra-municipal decentralization in Lithuania? The paper work hypothesizes two aspects: • Costs of intra-municipal decentralization implementation are higher than it's benefits. • Internal decentralization of local government – it is an alternative policy option to increase the number of municipalities rather than to ensure the better meet of local community's needs. Both hypotheses are confirmed so it can be stated that internal decentralization of local government is a specific direction of wider public policy management with its distinctive goals, targets and methods of implementation.

The internal decentralization of local government is a type of reorganization of municipal management and (or) provision of public service when the power from higher hierarchical levels of entities is transmitted to lower hierarchical levels, or when the power is divided between few or the same numbers of hierarchical level of entities. This issue was chosen because it is a relatively new in Lithuanian public policy and therefore here is still a lack of case study of this matter. The relevance of the issue is strengthened by the fact that the results of implementation of the first phase of intra-municipal decentralization concept are a base for the goals and directions of the second phase. According to the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the Concept of Intra-municipal Decentralization, the law of Republic of Lithuania Public Administration, the internal municipal decentralization must be implemented by making effective decisions. The object of this paper work is the internal decentralization of local government in Lithuania: the case study of function transmission of residence declaration. The goal of this paper work is to assess whether the internal municipal decentralization started effectively in Lithuania. The term of effectiveness covers both economic (saving budget) and social (better representation of local community needs) aspects. This paper work examinates the case of function reporting of residence to the ward which is the highest intra-municipal decentralization project so far achieved. For achieving this goal the following main tasks were formulated: • According to various author's research review the key issues of intra-municipal decentralization and form a theoretical background – the assessment model of internal decentralization of local government performance. • To analyze the case of function reporting of residence to the ward under the formed model. • To analyze the influence of different interest groups and determine which interest groups mostly affect on the intra-municipal decentralization in Lithuania. The matter under investigation is: key question is – whether internal municipal decentralization which is started in Lithuania is being implemented effectively? Side-issue questions are: do the projects approved by Government maximize total welfare? What is the position of interest groups in respect of intra-municipal decentralization in Lithuania? The paper work hypothesizes two aspects: • Costs of intra-municipal decentralization implementation are higher than it's benefits. • Internal decentralization of local government – it is an alternative policy option to increase the number of municipalities rather than to ensure the better meet of local community's needs. Both hypotheses are confirmed so it can be stated that internal decentralization of local government is a specific direction of wider public policy management with its distinctive goals, targets and methods of implementation.

This article seeks to lay a theoretical foundation of the internal decentralization (decentralization in the local municipality): its essence and content are defined, the main forms as well as the kinds of forms are identified. This Is performed by using theoretical propositions of decentralization in the state (at the state level) following different researchers' works and verifying whether they are suitable for local municipalities of Lithuania and other countries. In the article the set goal is being sought by these actions: 1) the origin and the meaning of the word "decentralization" are explained; 2) the essence and the content of decentralization in the state (at the state level) are defined; 3) the essence and the content of decentralization in the local municipality are defined, its main forms and kinds of forms are named; 4) currently the most frequently applied forms of internal decentralization in local municipalities of other countries are submitted. In the opinion of the author of the article, decentralization in the local municipality for internal decentralization in the local municipality) means the transfer of the powers assigned to municipal bodies, which belong to a higher hierarchical level, to a subordinate or non-subordinate bodies, which belong to a lower hierarchical level, or division of powers to a bigger number of bodies of the same hierarchical level. The bodies that have received these powers are guaranteed some discretion to make decisions and operate. Moreover, a certain interaction (relations, responsibilities) between the bodies that have transferred the powers and the ones that have received those powers is foreseen. From the author's of the article point of view, the internal decentralization in the local municipality is performed by these forms: 1) deconcentration; 2) transfer of powers (delegation); 3) fiscal decentralization; 4) economic decentralization. The author thinks that at present the most frequently applied forms of internal decentralization in municipalities of different countries are the following ones: 1) composition of branch and/or functional committees (commissions) of municipal councils and transfer of powers (delegation) to them to operate and to adopt decisions on behalf of the municipal council; 2) transfer of a part of powers (delegation) of municipal councils (representative government institutions) to the executive institution; 3) application of different ways of economic decentralization, starting with the most ordinary and gradually moving to the introduction of more complicated forms of PPP (Public Private Partnership); 4) transfer of powers (delegation) to the territorial communities (with executive bodies) of residential areas or their parts; 5) transfer of powers (delegation) to communal organizations, frequently called neighbourhood communi ties"; 6) transfer of powers (delegation) to the self-government bodies of schools, to public services consumers' protection councils or bodies of a similar type; 7) composition of structural-territorial subdivisions of the municipal administration (with different legal status) and transfer of powers (delegation) to them to manage the affairs of the inhabitants of one or several residential areas, to provide basic administrative and/or public services. ; Straipsnyje apibrėžiama decentralizacija vietos savivaldybėje (sinonimai - vidinė decentralizacija, vidinė decentralizacija vietos savivaldybėje): aiškinama jos esmė ir turinys, nurodomos jos pagrindinės formos: dekoncentravimas, įgaliojimų perdavimas, finansinė decentralizacija, ekonominė decentralizacija. Apibrėžiant decentralizaciją vietos savivaldybėje vadovaujamasi nuostata, kad ji savo esme, turiniu ir formomis yra labai panaši į decentralizaciją tokioje labai sudėtingoje socialinėje sistemoje (teritoriniame socialiniame junginyje) kaip valstybė. Todėl tai, kas tinka apibūdinant decentralizaciją valstybėje, dialektiškai gali būti panaudota ir apibrėžiant decentralizaciją vietos savivaldybėje. Taip pat rašoma apie tai, kokios decentralizacijos formos dabartiniu metu dažniausios Lietuvos ir kitų šalių vietos savivaldybėse.

Theoretical and practical aspects of sub-national government structure and territorial municipalities' competence are developed in a dissertation. The first chapter of the thesis examines the theoretical-methodological aspects of decentralization: problems of decentralization contents analysis as well as shortcomings and advantages of decentralization. It discusses the sub-national government structure and its place within the public governance system; analyzes the conceptions of territorial municipalities' competence, division of competence of territorial municipalities and other subjects of public government as well as description of competence of territorial municipalities; examines theoretical aspects of establishing the sub-national government structure and the competence of territorial municipalities. The second chapter analyses the sub-national government structure of Lithuania and its place within the country's public governance system, highlights the directions of territorial government reforms made in 1995- August 2008, examines the competence of Lithuanian municipalities and county governors' institutions during the period of 1995-August 2008. The third chapter substantiates the methodology of empirical research, carried out in the course of thesis project. Research results of the sub-national government structure of Lithuania and of the competence of local municipalities and county governors' institutions are presented and summarized. Based on the conducted empirical research, alternative modifications of the sub-national government structure of Lithuania and of the competence model of the municipalities and county governors' institutions are presented.

Theoretical and practical aspects of sub-national government structure and territorial municipalities' competence are developed in a dissertation. The first chapter of the thesis examines the theoretical-methodological aspects of decentralization: problems of decentralization contents analysis as well as shortcomings and advantages of decentralization. It discusses the sub-national government structure and its place within the public governance system; analyzes the conceptions of territorial municipalities' competence, division of competence of territorial municipalities and other subjects of public government as well as description of competence of territorial municipalities; examines theoretical aspects of establishing the sub-national government structure and the competence of territorial municipalities. The second chapter analyses the sub-national government structure of Lithuania and its place within the country's public governance system, highlights the directions of territorial government reforms made in 1995- August 2008, examines the competence of Lithuanian municipalities and county governors' institutions during the period of 1995-August 2008. The third chapter substantiates the methodology of empirical research, carried out in the course of thesis project. Research results of the sub-national government structure of Lithuania and of the competence of local municipalities and county governors' institutions are presented and summarized. Based on the conducted empirical research, alternative modifications of the sub-national government structure of Lithuania and of the competence model of the municipalities and county governors' institutions are presented.

Development of democratic principles in European countries also stimulates decentralization processes in the sphere of state control by relegating ever greater part of public affairs management to local government institutions and enhancing thereby their significance in state control. The European local government charter states thet local government institutions make a basis for any democratic system. Local government means that local authorities, within the limits established by law, have the right and capability to manage and control a part of public affairs in the interests of local population, taking the whole responsibility. Local authorities have the right to accomplish the functions delegated by central or regional authorities, at their own discretion and taking into consideration local conditions. These statements also refer to the economic sphere and their realization would allow an increase in the economic effectiveness of local government. The decentralization process, based on the mentioned principles, takes the shape of the so-called fiscal decentralization in the economic sphere. The fiscal decentralization is conceived as enhancement of financial independence of local authorities, by delimiting the functions of the local and central authorities in the public economic sector, and by allocating appropriately financial resources to pursue these functions. The economic foundation of such decentralization is enhancement of the efficiency of the public economic sector. A centralized supply of standard wealth disregarding a specific character of individual regions of a country and a variety of the needs of social groups conditions its inadequacy to the needs of society. In this case, decentralization of the public sector will stimulate economic efficiency by establishing more favorable conditions to supply public wealth such that meet the consumers' needs best.

Development of democratic principles in European countries also stimulates decentralization processes in the sphere of state control by relegating ever greater part of public affairs management to local government institutions and enhancing thereby their significance in state control. The European local government charter states thet local government institutions make a basis for any democratic system. Local government means that local authorities, within the limits established by law, have the right and capability to manage and control a part of public affairs in the interests of local population, taking the whole responsibility. Local authorities have the right to accomplish the functions delegated by central or regional authorities, at their own discretion and taking into consideration local conditions. These statements also refer to the economic sphere and their realization would allow an increase in the economic effectiveness of local government. The decentralization process, based on the mentioned principles, takes the shape of the so-called fiscal decentralization in the economic sphere. The fiscal decentralization is conceived as enhancement of financial independence of local authorities, by delimiting the functions of the local and central authorities in the public economic sector, and by allocating appropriately financial resources to pursue these functions. The economic foundation of such decentralization is enhancement of the efficiency of the public economic sector. A centralized supply of standard wealth disregarding a specific character of individual regions of a country and a variety of the needs of social groups conditions its inadequacy to the needs of society. In this case, decentralization of the public sector will stimulate economic efficiency by establishing more favorable conditions to supply public wealth such that meet the consumers' needs best.

The forms of decentralization, focusing on the main features and differences of these forms, are analyzed in this article. It is shown that each type of decentralization - political, administrative, fiscal, and market - has different characteristics, policy implications, and conditions for success. There are defined the main goals of decentralization reforms and identified the tools for theirs achievement. Decentralization is considered as a sine qua non not only in the development of local self-government, but with regard to civil society as a whole and the greatest factor of social change. Decentralization can address poverty, gender inequality, environmental concerns, and the improvement of healthcare, education and access to technology. Moreover, decentralization does not only affect government and civil service, but is conditional on the involvement of community organizations, stakeholders in the private sector, international aid organizations and citizens. The measurements of decentralization are analyzed too. Since, the standard measures fail to take into account the different degrees of decentralization and the true decision-making authority of sub-national institutions over revenues and expenditures, there are focusing on the search for more impartial and integrated evaluation indicators. ; Straipsnyje analizuojamos decentralizacijos reformų formos, atkreipiant dėmesį į svarbiausius jų bruožus. Apibrėžiami pagrindiniai reformų tikslai ir instrumentai jiems pasiekti. Nagrinėjamos decentralizacijos vertinimo galimybės, pateikiant vertinimo rodiklius, kuriais remiantis būtų galima atlikti valstybių lyginamąją analizę. Vadovaujantis decentralizacijos reformų tikslais, kurie atitinka decentralizacijos sistemos kriterijus, modeliuojami galimi decentralizacijos reformų rezultatai, išryškinant pagrindinius reformų privalumus ir trūkumus.

The interconnection of functions and powers at local level in Lithuania during the period of 1994-2016 is analysed in the article. Using the quantitative capacity methodological approach, the authors provide a novel research model based on the analysis of legal documents and statistical data. The analysis of legal documents, mainly the Law on Local Self-Government (1994) and its amendments, reveal the constant growth of local functions since the beginning of the period. However, the substantial part of the state's delegated functions in the total of the local functions is the first indicator of the ruling influence of state on local government. To prove the limited capacities of local governments the indicators disclosing functional responsibilities and local discretion are calculated. Several trends reveal as the results of these calculations: (i) the steady trend of the deficit of the local budgets, meaning that municipalities have or to increase their debts, or to provide less services, or to provide services of less quality; (ii) the immutably small trend of local expenditures as the part of total general government expenditures and as the part of the GDP, meaning the stagnancy in the growth of functional responsibilities and low level of fiscal decentralization; (iii) the constant trend of significant state's subsidies, meaning the constrained local discretion. These calculations prove that the increase of functional responsibilities at local level has not been accompanied by the increase of discretion, thus, the main conclusion of the research is that powers of local governments in Lithuania remain constrained despite the increase of functions.

The interconnection of functions and powers at local level in Lithuania during the period of 1994-2016 is analysed in the article. Using the quantitative capacity methodological approach, the authors provide a novel research model based on the analysis of legal documents and statistical data. The analysis of legal documents, mainly the Law on Local Self-Government (1994) and its amendments, reveal the constant growth of local functions since the beginning of the period. However, the substantial part of the state's delegated functions in the total of the local functions is the first indicator of the ruling influence of state on local government. To prove the limited capacities of local governments the indicators disclosing functional responsibilities and local discretion are calculated. Several trends reveal as the results of these calculations: (i) the steady trend of the deficit of the local budgets, meaning that municipalities have or to increase their debts, or to provide less services, or to provide services of less quality; (ii) the immutably small trend of local expenditures as the part of total general government expenditures and as the part of the GDP, meaning the stagnancy in the growth of functional responsibilities and low level of fiscal decentralization; (iii) the constant trend of significant state's subsidies, meaning the constrained local discretion. These calculations prove that the increase of functional responsibilities at local level has not been accompanied by the increase of discretion, thus, the main conclusion of the research is that powers of local governments in Lithuania remain constrained despite the increase of functions.

The interconnection of functions and powers at local level in Lithuania during the period of 1994-2016 is analysed in the article. Using the quantitative capacity methodological approach, the authors provide a novel research model based on the analysis of legal documents and statistical data. The analysis of legal documents, mainly the Law on Local Self-Government (1994) and its amendments, reveal the constant growth of local functions since the beginning of the period. However, the substantial part of the state's delegated functions in the total of the local functions is the first indicator of the ruling influence of state on local government. To prove the limited capacities of local governments the indicators disclosing functional responsibilities and local discretion are calculated. Several trends reveal as the results of these calculations: (i) the steady trend of the deficit of the local budgets, meaning that municipalities have or to increase their debts, or to provide less services, or to provide services of less quality; (ii) the immutably small trend of local expenditures as the part of total general government expenditures and as the part of the GDP, meaning the stagnancy in the growth of functional responsibilities and low level of fiscal decentralization; (iii) the constant trend of significant state's subsidies, meaning the constrained local discretion. These calculations prove that the increase of functional responsibilities at local level has not been accompanied by the increase of discretion, thus, the main conclusion of the research is that powers of local governments in Lithuania remain constrained despite the increase of functions.