DECENTRALIZATION – A NECESSITY OR NEED

Abstract

The authors of the paper, from theoretical and normative aspect, give an comprehensive overview of the issues related to the process of state administration's decentralization in the Republic of Macedonia. The paper contains, in that sense, a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical standpoints and legal acts dealing with the respective matter. The authors have emphasized how important decentralization is, as a key priority within all the political reforms which should achieve few goals and objectives for the state administration (delegation of the state administration’s competences which can be implemented more efficiently by the local bodies), the local administration (more efficient management of human resources, higher autonomy of the local self-government and its units, meaning functional, organizational and fiscal autonomy etc.), as well as for the citizens (authorities which are closely linked to them, active role of the citizens etc.). Aside from emphasizing its importance, the authors have elaborated its main inconsistencies and the obstacles to the decentralization process, which are primarily financial, institutional, technical, and human related ones. Thus, aiming to bring about better implementation of the overall decentralization process, they have provided recommendations and advices.