Decentralization, clientelism and Popular Participation^#x2014;Is there a role for ICTs to improve local governance?

Abstract

This case study investigates under which conditions ICTs can play a role in fostering the empowerment of rural communities to fully participate in the decision-making processes of local governments. The analysis using empirical evidence from rural communities in Bolivia focuses hereby on the following key questions: (i) to what extent can ICTs contribute to improving the efficiency and efficacy of local government? (ii) does ICTs have the potential to make local governments more transparent and responsive to the needs of rural communities and (iii) can ICTs support the core objectives of the Bolivian Law of Popular Participation to strengthen the role of local government in public-policy making and the implementation of development programs? The article will explore these issues using several case studies of rural municipalities in Bolivia that have participated in the USAID-funded project Enlared Municipal. It concludes that the most important factors influencing whether ICT programs can support the processes of decentralization, improved social accountability and thus improve the well-being of rural communities depends primarily on political, social and cultural factors, whereby economic and technical factors are secondary.