By Yang Weifu, Institute for Public Administration and Human Resources, DRC

Research Report, Special Issue, No.35, 2018 (Total 1602) 2018-9-6

Abstract: The segmentation relationship between the central government’s functional departments and local governments is common in any country, but this phenomenon can be avoided. On the one hand, the relationship stems from reasonable power decentralization; on the other hand, the central government have some concern that the devolved power may cause short-term behaviors, corruption, and the inaction of local governments. The problems caused by power segmentation: first, the division of power may render the local government an “incomplete government”; second, it may result in policy conflicts, internal power struggle, and damage to government credibility and efficiency; third, unclear rights and responsibilities might cause functional departments to dispute with each other or pass the buck, so the accountability cannot be assessed; fourth, fragmented administration is far from the modernization requirements of the governance system and governance capability. The main drawbacks of fragmentation are unclear rights and liabilities and ineffective coordination, which makes it impossible to assess and clarify accountability. This report proposes the following approaches. First, we need to speed up the improvement of plan-making standard and planning legislation. Second, we need to revise and improve the existing government performance assessment methods as soon as possible, and lay stress on incentive and accountability. Third, we need to further the reform of “streamlining administration, delegating power, and improving services” and accelerate the devolution of office authority, economic rights and H.R.rights. Fourth, we need to scientifically design a coordination mechanism for government functional departments and local governments in accordance with the governing philosophy.

Key words: segmentation of links among departments and regions, constraints on planning, clarification of rights and liabilities, bundled assessment