Local Government Structure and the Provision of Public Services in Rural Communities PDF Download

Author: Edward A. Lutz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Author: James C. Clinger
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781003287766
Category : County government
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"In government administration and leadership, rural community leaders face unique challenges in delivering public services including (but not limited to) education, health care, and public safety. Meanwhile residents who live in smaller and more isolated rural settings often face greater difficulties accessing provisions and services or commuting to work, among other economic development challenges. These factors may affect a community's resiliency to and recovery from shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Local Government Administration in Small Town America devotes some overdue scholarly attention to the governance and administration of public programs in small towns and rural communities in the United States. The chapter contributors to this volume analyze some of the unique challenges rural communities face, as well as the policy tools that their governments employ to address them. The book explores ways that small town governments collaborate with one another, the state, and the federal government, and examines how local government officials use knowledge of people and place to improve policy performance. The chapters are designed to provide cases and strategies for students and practitioners in public administration to use in a small town environment, while also considering a community's distinctive social and political culture which determines how local political leaders and government practitioners might respond to demands and challenges they face. Local Government Administration in Small Town America is an essential resource for undergraduate and graduate students studying local government, as well as for rural practitioners navigating evolving challenges unique to their communities"--

Author: J. Norman Reid
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : County government
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Author: Johanna Speer
Publisher: Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN:
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 18

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The purpose of the research summarized in this paper is to provide policy-relevant knowledge on the governance of rural services in Guatemala and thus to contribute to improving the provision of services that are essential for agricultural and rural development. Almost 10 years ago, the Guatemalan government decided to strengthen decentralization and community participation to improve the quality of public services, as well as access to these services for the poor, especially in rural areas. Based on quantitative and qualitative primary data, we examine how services are actually provided today and how community preferences and participation affect service provision in rural Guatemala. Our main finding is that the provision of formally decentralized services by local governments is incomplete. As a result, many rural communities continue to lack access to services, and some of them engage in supplying these services themselves. However, communities do not consider themselves to be more effective at service provision and would therefore prefer to be served by the government. Moreover, we find that community participation in the planning and evaluation of services has a positive impact on the responsiveness of the local government’s service provision. However, the effectiveness of community participation varies greatly among the examined cases, with several participatory governance bodies not functioning properly due to low education levels, poverty, and weak civil-society organization.

Author: Richard E Lonsdale
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000310469
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 355

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Interest in the special problems of rural areas and concern with rural development in general have increased substantially throughout much of the world in the years since about 1960. Attesting to this has been the dramatic increase in attention to rural problems in the scholarly and popular literature and by government agencies. At first the dominant focus was on development projects and the creation of new jobs. It was not long, however, until other related issues came to the fore, in particular the availability and quality of public services essential to achieve economic growth and improvement and having a direct bearing on the well-being of rural peoples. Most nations of the world have developed plans and launched pro-jects to improve rural public services and narrow urban-rural dif-ferentials in their provision. As one would expect, there have been great differences between nations in the severity of problems, foci of attention, program strategies and their general effectiveness, and degree of commitment and effort. Given this diversity, it seems ap-propriate to examine and compare rural service problems and efforts to ameliorate them in a sample of contrasting societies. Implicit is the conviction that (1) all nations can learn at least something from the experiences of others, and (2) by taking an international, com-parative view of the subject, certain generalizations can be established.

Author: David J. O'Brien
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780936913094
Category : Human services
Languages : en
Pages : 71

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Book Description
This research agenda examines ways to improve availability and access to public services for individuals living in rural areas. Five articles focus on general conceptual and methodological issues pertaining to research on services, and are applicable to a wide range of services such as health and education. Discussions concentrate on public service problems in rural areas experiencing chronic population loss, loss of basic industries, and aging population. "Settlement Patterns and the Provision of Services in the North Central Region" (Edward W. Hassinger) examines the unique historical role of American rural communities as providers of services for rural populations in the Midwest. "Spatial Aspects of Public Services in Rural Areas" (Roger J. Beck) attempts to reconceptualize relationships between the local area and rural service delivery, given the demographic and economic changes described by Hassinger. "Ecological Correlates of Rural Service Delivery: The Case of Rural Health Care" (Jack Geller) uses a human ecological perspective to conceptualize the problem of providing services for persons in sparsely populated counties. "Community Leadership and Decision-making in the Provision of Rural Public Services" (Janet S. Ayres) examines relationships between local rural communities and the formal structures of local government. "Community Social Organization and the Coproduction of Public Services in Rural Areas" (David J. O'Brien) proposes an approach to conceptualizing and measuring more effective relationships between rural communities and formal service providers. The final section outlines specific steps that can be taken to develop a coherent research agenda. Contains 118 references. (KS)

Author: Gerald A. Doeksen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Community education
Languages : en
Pages : 36

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Author: Jack Donahue
Publisher: Defenestration Press
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
As you journey into the realm of local government, it is crucial to first understand the intricate structure and multifaceted functions that shape the foundation of community governance. Through a comprehensive exploration, we will shed light on the mechanisms of local government, emphasizing the importance of citizen participation and the impact it has on shaping the local landscape. Local government refers to the administrative body responsible for governing a specific geographic area, typically a municipality, town, city, or county. This form of governance is essential for addressing the unique needs and concerns of the local community and plays a critical role in shaping public policies and services at the grassroots level. The essence of local government lies in its mandate to oversee the affairs of a specific locality, ensuring the effective delivery of public services, maintaining infrastructure, and addressing the diverse needs of the community. It serves as the primary link between the government and the citizens, fostering direct engagement and representation at the local level. Local government encompasses a wide array of functions, including but not limited to urban planning, public safety, waste management, public health, education, and social services. These functions are designed to cater to the unique needs of the local population, promoting the well-being and prosperity of the community. The concept of local governance dates back to ancient civilizations, where communities established systems of self-governance to address local issues and maintain order. Over time, the evolution of local government has been shaped by cultural, historical, and political influences, leading to diverse models of governance across different regions and periods. Within the broader framework of governance, local government occupies a pivotal position, serving as the closest point of contact between the government and the citizens. It embodies the principles of subsidiarity, emphasizing the decentralization of power and decision-making to ensure that local issues are addressed with greater responsiveness and relevance. The impact of local government is palpable in various aspects of daily life. From the maintenance of public infrastructure such as roads and parks to the provision of essential services like water supply and waste management, local government plays a fundamental role in shaping the quality of life within a community. Furthermore, local governments often collaborate with community organizations and businesses to foster economic development and cultural enrichment, contributing to the overall vibrancy of the local area. One common misconception about local government is that its influence is limited to mundane administrative tasks. In reality, local government wields significant authority in decision-making processes that directly impact the lives of residents. Understanding and actively participating in local government is crucial for safeguarding the collective interests and well-being of the community. As you assimilate the essence of local government, it becomes evident that it is not merely a bureaucratic entity but a dynamic force that shapes the local environment and empowers citizens to contribute to the betterment of their community.

Author: Jenny de Fine Licht
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031644638
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 151

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Author: Southern Rural Development Center
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Community development
Languages : en
Pages : 92

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