Political Science

Decentralization & Local Government MCQs with Answers

What is decentralization in the context of governance?
a) The concentration of power at the national level
b) The transfer of power from central government to local authorities
c) The reduction of local governments’ authority
d) The abolition of local government institutions

Answer
b) The transfer of power from central government to local authorities

Which of the following is a key benefit of decentralization?
a) Reduced efficiency in government administration
b) Increased responsiveness to local needs
c) Concentration of political power at the central level
d) Weaker public participation in decision-making

Answer
b) Increased responsiveness to local needs

What is a characteristic of local government in a decentralized system?
a) It has no power to make decisions for the community
b) It has authority to govern local affairs and manage resources
c) It only implements policies made by the central government
d) It is subject to the whims of national government officials

Answer
b) It has authority to govern local affairs and manage resources

Which of the following is a form of decentralization?
a) Fiscal decentralization
b) Centralization of power in government
c) Restricting local government autonomy
d) Reducing the number of local government entities

Answer
a) Fiscal decentralization

Which of these is an example of political decentralization?
a) Giving local governments authority over local elections
b) Reducing local government participation in policy-making
c) Centralizing national political parties
d) Limiting the power of local elected officials

Answer
a) Giving local governments authority over local elections

Why is decentralization important for developing countries?
a) It allows for a stronger central government
b) It leads to uniform policies across all regions
c) It empowers local communities to address their own issues
d) It prevents local communities from making decisions

Answer
c) It empowers local communities to address their own issues

Which of the following is a challenge of decentralization?
a) Increased political participation at the national level
b) Inequitable distribution of resources among regions
c) Over-centralization of power
d) Reduced local government responsibilities

Answer
b) Inequitable distribution of resources among regions

What is the primary purpose of local governments in a decentralized system?
a) To manage national defense policies
b) To oversee local economic activities and social services
c) To implement policies solely set by the central government
d) To monitor central government activities

Answer
b) To oversee local economic activities and social services

Which of the following is a key principle of decentralization?
a) Centralized control over decision-making
b) Local participation in the governance process
c) Limiting the power of local governments
d) Reducing public accountability at local levels

Answer
b) Local participation in the governance process

Which of the following is a characteristic of administrative decentralization?
a) Reducing the autonomy of local government bodies
b) Delegating authority to local government agencies to deliver services
c) Increasing the power of central government agencies
d) Centralizing administrative functions at the national level

Answer
b) Delegating authority to local government agencies to deliver services

Which is an example of fiscal decentralization?
a) Local governments raising taxes to fund local projects
b) National government funding all local programs
c) Limiting the fiscal autonomy of local governments
d) Abolishing local government taxation systems

Answer
a) Local governments raising taxes to fund local projects

Which level of government is responsible for implementing local laws in a decentralized system?
a) National government
b) State or regional government
c) Local government
d) International organizations

Answer
c) Local government

Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of decentralization?
a) Increased political participation at the local level
b) Better service delivery in rural areas
c) Lack of coordination between local and national governments
d) Greater empowerment of local communities

Answer
c) Lack of coordination between local and national governments

Which of these is an example of devolution?
a) The transfer of political power from a central government to local governments
b) Centralizing power within a national government institution
c) Reducing the number of local government representatives
d) Appointing local officials by the central government

Answer
a) The transfer of political power from a central government to local governments

In a decentralized system, which of the following is typically a responsibility of local governments?
a) Managing national defense
b) Setting foreign policy
c) Providing local public services such as education and healthcare
d) Regulating international trade

Answer
c) Providing local public services such as education and healthcare

Which of the following is essential for the success of decentralization?
a) Strong political will at the national level
b) Complete autonomy for central governments
c) Limiting local government’s influence in policymaking
d) Complete separation of powers between local and central governments

Answer
a) Strong political will at the national level

What does “subsidiarity” mean in the context of decentralization?
a) The central government should handle all policies
b) Local issues should be addressed at the local level
c) Local governments should not have any autonomy
d) Central governments should override local government decisions

Answer
b) Local issues should be addressed at the local level

Which of these factors is critical for effective decentralization?
a) Centralized control over financial resources
b) Accountability and transparency at local government levels
c) Limiting the role of local governments in decision-making
d) National government dominance over all local matters

Answer
b) Accountability and transparency at local government levels

Which form of decentralization focuses on shifting responsibility for financial resources?
a) Political decentralization
b) Administrative decentralization
c) Fiscal decentralization
d) Judicial decentralization

Answer
c) Fiscal decentralization

Which of the following would strengthen decentralization?
a) Limiting the power of local governments
b) Encouraging public participation in local decision-making
c) Reducing the role of local governments in policy implementation
d) Increasing central government control over local policies

Answer
b) Encouraging public participation in local decision-making

What is the impact of decentralization on local governance?
a) Increased national control over local decisions
b) Enhanced local governance and decision-making capacity
c) Reduced public interest in local politics
d) Decreased local government autonomy

Answer
b) Enhanced local governance and decision-making capacity

Which of these challenges is associated with decentralization?
a) Increased efficiency in local governance
b) Greater uniformity in government policies
c) Inconsistent policy implementation across regions
d) Stronger local democratic structures

Answer
c) Inconsistent policy implementation across regions

In a decentralized system, which authority typically oversees the enforcement of local laws?
a) National government
b) Regional government
c) Local government
d) International organizations

Answer
c) Local government

What does the term “local autonomy” mean in a decentralized system?
a) Local governments are completely independent of central government
b) Local governments have the power to make decisions within their jurisdiction
c) Central governments control all aspects of local governance
d) Local governments are limited to administrative duties only

Answer
b) Local governments have the power to make decisions within their jurisdiction

Which of the following is an example of a country with decentralized governance?
a) United States
b) China
c) North Korea
d) Saudi Arabia

Answer
a) United States

What is the relationship between decentralization and democratization?
a) Decentralization strengthens authoritarian governance
b) Decentralization reduces democratic practices
c) Decentralization promotes local democracy and participation
d) Decentralization eliminates public involvement in governance

Answer
c) Decentralization promotes local democracy and participation

Which of the following is an essential feature of local government in a decentralized system?
a) Complete reliance on central government for decision-making
b) Ability to independently levy taxes and manage local finances
c) Dependence on national government for all policy implementation
d) Minimal involvement in local issues

Answer
b) Ability to independently levy taxes and manage local finances

Which of the following is a function typically handled by local governments in a decentralized system?
a) Foreign diplomacy
b) National defense
c) Public health and education
d) Setting national monetary policy

Answer
c) Public health and education

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