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Journal Article

IDS Bulletin Vol. 42 Nos. 2

The Eight Modes of Local Governance in West Africa

Published on 4 March 2011

Used in an analytical and non‐normative way, the concept of governance may be taken to refer to any organised method of delivering public or collective services and goods according to specific logics and norms, and to specific forms of authority.

This article applies the concept to analysis of local arenas in which public goods and services are delivered or co‐delivered in Niger and other countries of West Africa. The analysis proposes eight ‘modes of local governance’ and describes their main characteristics drawing on fieldwork evidence collected over an extended period. Chiefly, associational, municipal (municipal council), project‐based, bureaucratic, sponsorship‐based, religious and merchant modes of governance are distinguished. The article concludes by defining and delimiting a concept of local political culture, referring to a set of shared modern practices and representations relating to the practical operation of modes of local governance in specific local arenas.

Related Content

This article comes from the IDS Bulletin 42.2 (2011) The Eight Modes of Local Governance in West Africa

Cite this publication

Olivier de Sardan, J. P. (2011) The Eight Modes of Local Governance in West Africa. IDS Bulletin 42(2): 22-31

Authors

Jean‐Pierre Olivier de Sardan

Publication details

published by
Institute of Development Studies
authors
Olivier de Sardan, Jean?Pierre
doi
10.1111/j.1759-5436.2011.00208.x

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Region
Africa

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