This study analyzes the relationship between the central and local government, with a specific focus on the allocation of functions performed by the two different levels of government. It is assumed that this study has a significant contribution to ou...
This study analyzes the relationship between the central and local government, with a specific focus on the allocation of functions performed by the two different levels of government. It is assumed that this study has a significant contribution to our understanding of the role of government in general and of the many functions performed by the two authorities in particular. Moreover, there is an increasing need to clarify the relationship as we are facing a new system of local autonomy in the very near future.
In this study, the subject is dealt with in six chapters. In each of them there are some important theoretical and methodological discussions that may deserve to be fully described here. However, it is necessary to note here that the following analysis and explanations have the most significance.
we have generalized the relationship between the central and local government by introducing several theoretical and practical perspectives. To cite a few, there is J. A. G. Griffith who presents three models of the governmental relationship :Laisser-faire Type, Regulatory Type, and Promotional Type. Howard Elcock has Partnership Model and Agent Model. Deil S. Wright clarifies among Coordinate-Authority Model, Overlapping-Authority Model, and Inclusive-Authority Model. Finally, H. F. Alderfer divides into only two different types :Dependent and Regulatory Models.
The several comparative analyses about the functional divisions of governmental activities in a few countries, including Great Britain, United States, France, and Japan. They represent different types of administrative relations and show several important characteristics in managing their own governments. For instance, Japan has, contrary to our general understanding, a relatively weak command system from the central to local government, and there is a wide discussion about the level of cooperation between the two.
The bulk of this study focuses on the case of Korea. Here, we can find a few important characteristics seen in the administrative relations between the central and local government. First of all, the functional divisions of governmental activities in Korea are very ambiguous and the delegated activities from the central to local government is somewhat over-loaded. This gives a sign of the meticulous control, supervision, and direction to the local government from the strong central government.
All in all, it means that there are not so much divisions of administrative power between the central and local government.
A final note may clear the limitation of this study. Although this dissertation tries to focus on the functional allocation of administration between the central and local government, it should be stated here that a comprehensive analysis on the every aspect of governmental relations was very difficult. Since the governmental activities are by themselves interrelated with both inter-cabinet level and inter-governmental level, there remains some difficulties in analyzing the proper relations in every field of governmental activities.
Besides, there are many factors such as the financial and personnel limitations that can give a significant influence in implementing administrative decisions. No grand theories or models of administrative division of functions would be possible, yet the above analyses seem to have a significant relevance to the relations between central and local government in Korea.