Local governance: Analysis of the control mechanisms of Beninese local authorities

Abstract

Local governance is currently attracting considerable interest from various actors, both political and academic. This article analyzes local governance practices in Benin. Specifically, it sheds light on the different mechanisms of local governance implemented to regulate the behavior of local actors and improve the performance of Beninese local authorities. To achieve our objective, we undertook a description of the different governance mechanisms of local authorities, drawing on public choice theory, which provides a framework for understanding public decision-making and, more generally, political behavior in relation to the individuals involved in this process. We used a documentary research method, which has the advantage of avoiding problems related to the reliability of data collection and eliminating the need for transcription (Allard-Poesi et al., 2007). The results of this work have highlighted, among other things, the existence of internal and external mechanisms of local governance in the public sector, as in the private sector. Furthermore, we have discovered an innovation in local governance in Benin: the creation of an administrative and technical position, the administrative secretariat or executive secretariat. This new administrative and technical position appears to be an indirect disciplinary mechanism designed to limit the scope of the mayor's discretionary power and promote efficiency and effectiveness in the management of municipalities.

JEL Classification: H7

Paper Type:Theoretical Research