Decentralization and Transition in the Visegrad: Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia (Studies in Economic Transition)

The essays in this volume assess the local and regional government level reform efforts which have been introduced since 1990 in the Visegrads--the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia--as part of the overall democratization process. The volume analyzes the effectiveness of these emerging government structures in terms of competencies and resources, makes comparisons with West European experiences at this level, and examines the role of external factors, especially the EU and international financial organizations, in the development of sub-national authorities in these countries.