Decentralisation in India: Towards ‘Localism’ or ‘Regionalism’?

Main Article Content

Deepak Gopinath

Abstract

This paper offers a commentary on what decentralisation has come to mean in India, based on recent research conducted in Kerala, one of the southern states. In particular, the paper discusses the tensions between ‘regionalism’ and ‘localism’. It begins with a brief outline of how decentralisation is conceived within the broad literature. This is followed by a case study, where the shifts in forms of decentralisation adopted by the Kerala state government are examined. The paper concludes with key findings that underpin an understanding of decentralisation within the Indian context.

Article Details

Section

Commentary

Author Biography

Deepak Gopinath, University of Dundee

Dr. Deepak Gopinath is lecturer in Town and Regional Planning at the University of Dundee. His research interests are in Local and Regional Governance, Planning Theory, Practice and Education, Sustainable Development, Comparative International Planning.

How to Cite

Decentralisation in India: Towards ‘Localism’ or ‘Regionalism’?. (2009). Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 4, 101-112. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i4.1358