Decentralization as spectacle: An empirical reflection from Pakistan

Abstract

MotivationLocal government can develop democracy and community participation if institutions support it. But when a military regime takes over following a coup d'état, it may use familiar methods of patronage, corruption, and exploitation of kinship ties to render decentralization a spectacle—that is, done for show, but without substantial change. Local elites may then capture local administration and extract public resources.PurposeDoes decentralization as spectacle bring positive change — when the military hold power and the state is laden with corruption, patronage, and kinship ties?Methods and approachesWe analyse how respondents experienced two periods of local government, including post‐election public interactions between representatives and their constituents.Data comes from responses to qualitative interviews with 70 key informants from the Qambar Shahdadkot and Larkana districts of Sindh, Pakistan. We analysed the themes generated by responses to questions.FindingsSome 40% of respondents reported those who came into local government power aimed first and foremost to promote the interests of their own class. Some 29% of respondents reported local government made empty promises to provide services with public participation.Pakistan's decentralization has been a spectacle, to serve powerful elites. Local government has been captured by local elites.Policy implicationsDecentralization, muzzled by the military, is mere spectacle, and predatory to boot. Donor agencies should explore possibilities for change at the local level; for example, where local networks and informal governmentality can build up trust amongst hyper‐local communities.