What is Local Government?

Local government refers to the government of a town, city, township, municipality, district, or other political subdivision of a state at the local level. The institutions of local government often include political actors such as mayors, councils, committees, and administrative services.

Why is local government important?

Local government is the level of public authority that citizens first look to solve their immediate problems. Local government is the level of government in which the citizen has the most effective opportunity to actively participate in. Since local governance, takes place on a smaller scale and focuses on local issues, it offers more opportunities for direct democracy and civic engagement. Local governments are often seen as more effective than national governments in bringing political representatives closer to the people, in allowing local representatives to understand the needs and concerns of their communities, and for representing people’s interests and concerns through the policy process. In reality, however, local governments may be more or less meaningful, depending on the extent to which political, fiscal and administrative powers have been decentralized to the local levels. If local government are provided with the adequate resources and powers, they can have a very beneficial effect on local governance.

Some of the key aspects of these benefits include:

• Community participation in local government may allow for a more direct form of democracy in which the voices of ordinary individuals can be heard more easily.

• Because local government is closer to the people, it easier for there to be meaningful dialogue, debate, and discussion in an effort to solve problems that arises in the community.

• When citizens participate in local government, this allows them to gain knowledge about community affairs that otherwise would be only accessible to public officials and administrators.

• When citizens participate in local government, this tends to enhance good relations among the citizens, building a community that is self-reliant and cooperative.

(Source: Public Participation for Democracy Training Manual Book)