Abstract: Since 1991 the current Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has been following a “democratic developmental” state model both at the federal, regional and local level administrations. The main objective of this study was to the main features and extent of independence of urban local governments from the influences of the private sector and identifies the critical challenges faced in the sample Urban Local Governments in Amhara National Regional State. In this study, sequential exploratory design was employed and both quantitative and qualitative (mixed) approaches were used. Data was gathered from primary and secondary sources. In the five sample town administrations, a total of 50 respondents were selected randomly and participated to solicit data through questionnaire and key informants who were purposively selected from various local government institutions. The major findings of the study showed that the local governments are not autonomous and independent from the influence of the private sector. Local government bureaucracy is not independent from the interferences of the local authorities. The capacity, commitment, and effectiveness of local authorities are not adequate. The local government employees are not ethical and lack the capacity to implement policies. The principal values and principles of democracy such as free and fair election, representation of the society in the local councils and respects of human rights are not satisfactory. A number of challenges such as lack of good governance and rule of law are identified by respondents. Based on the findings, the study recommended that local governments should build the capacity of local authorities, institutions and public employees, respect human and democratic rights, fight corruption and forge strong public private partnership.Abstract: Since 1991 the current Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has been following a “democratic developmental” state model both at the federal, regional and local level administrations. The main objective of this study was to the main features and extent of independence of urban local governments from the influences of the private...Show More
Abstract: This paper aimed at exploring reasons to why policies change in Nigeria. It defined policy as action taken toward problem solving by government or an organization. It also defined policy change as the replacement of one or more existing policies with another. The paper adopted advocacy coalition framework as theoretical frame work and explained policy change. The theory explained that policy change occurs through interactions between wide external changes or shocks to the political system and the success of the ideas in the coalitions, which may cause actors in the advocacy coalition to shift coalitions. More so, the paper discussed six reasons to why policies change in Nigeria, these reasons are: failure of the existing policy to accomplish it set objective, political instability, ineffective and corrupt political leadership, policy diffusion, change in structure and socio-economic factors. And finally the paper recommended that for a policy to fully achieve its set goal and objective, there should be continuity of policy implementation irrespective of the person or political party in office, proper assessment and implementation of policy will also reduce the risk of policy failure and also policy makers should have the people at heart and not use the predicament of the people for personal gain.Abstract: This paper aimed at exploring reasons to why policies change in Nigeria. It defined policy as action taken toward problem solving by government or an organization. It also defined policy change as the replacement of one or more existing policies with another. The paper adopted advocacy coalition framework as theoretical frame work and explained pol...Show More
