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Decentralizing Under Uncertainty: Informal Relations and Results-Based Management in the Municipalization Process in Uruguay

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Abstract

This article analyzes the Uruguayan decentralization process since the creation of the third tier of government, the Municipal Authorities, in 2010. The main objective is to understand the intergovernmental relations that have arisen as a result. It is argued that, given the scarce planning of formal intergovernmental relations between the different levels of government, the implementation of results-based management instruments has increased the management capacity and transparency in the use of resources by municipalities given them wider autonomy. To prove this, we conducted a survey to Mayors in office from 2010 to 2020.

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Notes

  1. Departmental Governments represent the second tier of governments. In Uruguay there is a second level government in each of the nineteen Departments that make up the whole of the country’s territory.

  2. Translation made by the authors.

  3. The term can also be found as management by results, managing for outcomes, performance management among others.

  4. The reasons why the missing cases could not be contacted are diverse. The decease of four mayors, health problems (2 cases), and the impossibility to contact them (3 cases).

  5. Frente Amplio is a moderate left-wing political party, which gained access to the national government in 2005.

  6. Law No. 18,567 enacted in September 2009 and its subsequent amendment in September 2014, through Law No. 19.272.

  7. In 2014, it was made mandatory for towns with more than 2,000 inhabitants, which raised the number to 112. There are currently 125 municipalities.

  8. There are also other sources at the initiative of the central government, mainly associated with specific sectorial programs.

  9. Junta Departamental is the legislative body of Departmental Governments, which are composed of a Department Governor who represents the executive and a legislative body (Junta Departamental).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Political Science, Universidad de la República (Uruguay), 1502 Constituyente St. 6th floor, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Martín Freigedo, Alejandro Milanesi & José Raúl Rodríguez

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  1. Martín Freigedo
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  2. Alejandro Milanesi
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  3. José Raúl Rodríguez
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Correspondence to Martín Freigedo.

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Freigedo, M., Milanesi, A. & Rodríguez, J.R. Decentralizing Under Uncertainty: Informal Relations and Results-Based Management in the Municipalization Process in Uruguay. Public Organiz Rev 23, 927–944 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-022-00693-y

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