Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance
Scope & Guideline
Connecting Researchers and Practitioners for Local Impact
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Decentralization and Governance:
The journal focuses on the principles and practices of decentralization, examining how local governance structures can empower citizens and improve service delivery. - Community Engagement and Participation:
A significant emphasis is placed on the role of community engagement, including the participation of marginalized groups, in local governance processes. - Public Service Delivery:
Research on how different governance models impact the delivery of public services at the local level is a core area of focus, highlighting the effectiveness and efficiency of various approaches. - Comparative Governance Studies:
The journal encourages comparative studies that analyze local governance practices across different countries, providing insights into best practices and lessons learned. - Gender and Diversity in Local Governance:
There is a consistent focus on gender issues and the representation of diverse groups in local governance, exploring barriers and opportunities for inclusivity.
Trending and Emerging
- Empowerment through Decentralization:
Recent studies are increasingly focusing on how decentralization can empower citizens, particularly in contexts like Uganda and Ghana, indicating a growing interest in citizen engagement. - Intersection of Gender and Governance:
There is a notable rise in research examining the intersections of gender and local governance, particularly in the context of electoral success and representation. - Impact of Global Events on Local Governance:
The influence of global phenomena, such as COVID-19 and Brexit, on local governance structures and practices is becoming a significant area of investigation. - Informal Governance Structures:
Emerging research is delving into informal governance systems and their impact on local governance, as evidenced by studies from various African contexts. - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at Local Levels:
The journal is increasingly addressing how local governments are localizing the Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting a growing interest in sustainable governance practices.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Governance Systems:
The exploration of indigenous and traditional governance systems, while still present, seems to have less prominence in recent publications compared to the previous years. - Fiscal Decentralization Specifics:
Although fiscal decentralization remains a topic of interest, specific case studies focusing solely on fiscal mechanisms appear to be less frequent. - Rural Governance Issues:
Themes specifically addressing rural governance challenges are becoming less common, as the journal increasingly shifts towards urban governance topics. - Local Governance in Developed Countries:
There is a noticeable decline in papers focusing on local governance issues in developed countries, with a greater emphasis on challenges in developing nations.
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