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This article considers the role of executives and legislatures in authoring decentralizing legislation to study the type of decentralization each sought to achieve. I find that differences across branches are more significant than differences across political parties. The executive played a significant role in the process of decentralization emphasizing administrative forms of decentralization. Congressional efforts to write laws, on the contrary, focused on the political aspects. Thus, the involvement of both branches in policymaking contributed to the multidimensional form and high degree of decentralization in Colombia.

AbstractPolitical decentralization has been promoted as a way to devolve responsibility, bring government closer to citizens, and improve accountability. The shift prompted new local elections, but were the elected officials responsive to citizens or to national party elites? This study examines unique survey data from 125 Colombian mayors to identify the factors they believe were critical in their victories and thereby to identify the people to whom they believe they owe loyalty: citizens or party leaders. Examining the relative value mayors assign to their own actions versus those of the party, combined with information on how they financed campaigns, sheds important light on subnational electoral dynamics in Colombia.

Are women in presidential cabinets new political players or do they adopt the same strategies as the men who traditionally run government? Once in office, are they treated equally and are they as effective as their male counterparts? Using data from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and the US, 'Women in Presidential Cabinets' provides evidence of gender integration

The essays in this book look at the question of how to study women's representation and women's political interests. Following a theoretical positioning of the meaning of women's "interests", the book looks at descriptive representation in political parties, high courts, and legislatures, as well as how definitions of "interest" affect who represents women in legislatures and social movements. Chapters include cases from the United States, Latin America, Western Europe and Africa.