To enhance local governance and decision-making.

To centralize power and authority at the national level.

To reduce the role of state governments in policy implementation.

To increase the bureaucracy in local governance.

Improved service delivery and responsiveness to local needs.

Increased accountability and transparency in governance.

Reduced regional disparities and social inequalities.

Weakened national unity and cohesion.

A system of local self-governance in rural areas.

A system of local self-governance in urban areas.

A system of national government.

A system of state government.

To implement development programs and provide basic services.

To collect taxes and generate revenue.

To maintain law and order.

To conduct elections.

To promote citizen participation and hold governments accountable.

To provide financial and technical support to local governments.

To implement government programs and policies.

To regulate the activities of local governments.

Lack of capacity and resources at the local level.

Political interference and corruption.

Weak legal and institutional frameworks.

Strong national governments.

Political decentralization can contribute to social development by empowering local communities and improving service delivery.

Political decentralization can hinder social development by increasing regional disparities and social inequalities.

Political decentralization has no impact on social development.

Political decentralization is always detrimental to social development.

By empowering local communities to identify and address their own needs.

By increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of social welfare programs.

By promoting economic growth and job creation.

All of the above.

Women's participation in local governance can improve decision-making and policy outcomes.

Women's participation in local governance can lead to increased gender equality and empowerment.

Women's participation in local governance can promote peace and stability.

All of the above.

By providing capacity-building support to local governments.

By establishing strong legal and institutional frameworks for decentralization.

By promoting citizen participation and holding governments accountable.

All of the above.

Increased regional disparities and social inequalities.

Weakened national unity and cohesion.

Increased corruption and political instability.

All of the above.

By establishing strong legal and institutional frameworks for decentralization.

By promoting citizen participation and holding governments accountable.

By providing capacity-building support to local governments.

All of the above.

Political decentralization is likely to continue to expand in the coming years.

Political decentralization is likely to face increasing challenges from national governments.

Political decentralization is likely to become less relevant in the era of globalization.

Political decentralization is likely to be replaced by centralized governance models.

The rise of populism and nationalism.

The increasing complexity of global issues.

The growing influence of technology.

All of the above.

By promoting multi-level governance and collaboration.

By investing in capacity-building and innovation at the local level.

By strengthening citizen participation and accountability.

All of the above.