Drivers of Decentralisation Across the World: Systematic Literature Review

A substantial body of literature investigates the drivers of decentralization and centralization across various regime types. However, most studies are case studies and yield inconsistent conclusions, leaving a gap in our understanding of the primary factors that drive decentralization and their associations with regime type, development level, demographic factors, and geographic context. This article presents a systematic review of the empirical literature on decentralization, focusing on the relationship between regime type and drivers of decentralisation. Using a theoretical framework that posits regimes devolve authority to subnational states for specific objectives and under particular conditions, we examine the motivations and objectives that underlie decentralization initiatives. We reviewed a wide range of published empirical studies to identify key triggers for decentralization and to investigate correlations between these triggers and regime types. Additionally, we explore how decentralization drivers vary with countries' geographic locations, levels of development, and demographic profiles. The study draws on data from countries that have formally adopted decentralization, including both federal and decentralized unitary systems. Articles were sampled to encompass a range of decentralization rationales, objectives, and impacts, providing a comprehensive basis for analysis. We employed a coding scheme to systematize the analysis and derive meaningful conclusions. Our findings align with existing literature that highlights key drivers of decentralization: enhancing government efficiency, increasing local participation, facilitating peacebuilding, reducing central government burdens, and promoting regional development. Additionally, factors such as patronage-based resource distribution to secure local elite loyalty and integrating peripheral units to extend central state power also trigger decentralisation initiatives. Furthermore, specific factors are more pronounced in certain regions due to contextual variables such as ethnic diversity, demographic characteristics, and development levels. Overall, our data suggest a notable association between decentralization drivers and regime type, contributing valuable insights to the field.