Suchergebnisse

THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES MAJOR CHANGES IN THE BRITISH ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT THAT HAVE PROVOKED-UNDER THATCHER'S LEADERSHIP - A TRANSFORMATION IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES. THE CHANGES AMOUNT TO A CONSTITUTIOAL CHANGE. LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN A VERY SPECIAL PART OF GOVERNMENTAL ARRANGEMENTS, ENDOWED BY PARLIAMENT WITH WIDE POLICY POWERS, DISCRETION OVER SPENDING, ITS OWN TAX AND ITS OWN VOTERS. NOW BRITAIN HAS WITNESSED AN EXPANSION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT POWERS OVER LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND TAXATION, THE ABOLITION OF ELECTIONS AND OF COUNCILS, THE TRANSFERENCE OF THEIR FUNCTIONS TO CENTRAL DEPARTMENTS, OR NATIONAL BOARDS OR TO REGIONAL AND LOCAL BOARDS, AND THE IMPOSITION OF A GAG ON THEIR ABILITY TO SPEAK OUT ON BEHALF OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.

The author believes that the apparent Southeast Asian paradox of fairly slow urbanization but rapidly growing urban populations is due to continued high rates of natural increase, especially in rural areas. Southeast Asian countries differ greatly in the nature of their hierarchies, and the appropriate policy goals and strategies therefore also differ. Policies conducive to more dispersed patterns of urban growth suggested. (DÜI-Sen)