Czech Local Government - Dilemma between Political Accountability and Practical Functionality

0506625 - SOÚ 2020 RIV HU eng, hun C - Conference Paper (international conference)
Kostelecký, Tomáš
Czech Local Government - Dilemma between Political Accountability and Practical Functionality.
Perspectives of Local Governments in Central-Eastern Europe. Common Learning and Innovations. Budapest: Belügyminisztérium, 2019, s. 132-147. 2. ISBN 978-963-9208-58-2.
[Perspectives of local governments in Central-Eastern Europe. Common learning and Innovations. Budapest (HU), 15.11.2018-16.11.2018]
Institutional support: RVO:68378025
Keywords : Czechia * Local Government * small population size * governability
OECD category: Sociology

The functions of the local government in the Czech Republic is heavily affected by the fact that municipalities in the country are very numerous (6258 as of January 1, 2018) and therefore, on average, one of the smallest municipalities in Europe. Local governments in small municipalities are generally trusted by local citizens and is considered accountable. However, local governments in small municipalities face problems with the lack of administrative capacity and ability to manage difficult tasks. The article shows the ways how such dilemma between political accountability and practical functionality is being tackled, namely through assignation of special status to larger municipalities who provide service for inhabitants of neighbouring small municipalities, voluntary cooperation among municipalities, and creation of special corporations by municipalities that provide necessary services.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0297833