Fragmented Local Government Systems and Crises : Experiences from Czechia

Abstract

This open access book assesses the links between decentralization and crises management in Czechia, paying particular attention to the ways in which local municipalities have dealt with turbulent problems including the Covid-19 pandemic and the migration crises caused by the war in Ukraine. There are more than 6000 municipalities in Czechia, most of which have fewer than 1000 inhabitants. With limited resources, municipalities are often forced to cooperate when it comes to dealing with major political and societal issues. Yet the various ways in which local governments cooperate, and the wider impact this has on the country as a whole, has not been fully examined. Drawing on existing literature and interviews with local governors, the book examines how decentralization affects the way crises are handled, and summarizes experiences and lessons from Czechia. In doing so, it identifies both the challenges brought about by decentralized local government systems, as well as the ways in which they contribute to community governance and its resilience. The book will appeal to all those interested in public administration and local government studies.