A Pandemic that could Alter the Shape and Size of Government

Context: Extremes of centralization and decentralization should be replaced with a coordinated middle policy of governance.

Problems with Centralized Decision Making

• One-size-fits-all approach: Limits the efficiency.

• Rise of authoritarian rule and charismatic leadership: avoid constitutional checks and balances.
• Incompetent centralized decision making: could enhance societal gaps.

Decentralized Decision Making

• Social and political solidarity: easier to engage with one another and find solutions.
• Local politics suffers less gridlock and antagonism: help them devise policies to benefit from national and global markets, rather than being at their mercy.
• Democratic bottom up approach: Based on better management and learning.

Way Forward

• Principle of subsidiarity: Centralised decision making to establish minimal standard leaving actual decision on decentralised one (powers are delegated to the lowest-possible administrative level).
• Carefully managed decentralization. People centric policies must be devised by local political party leaders (can allocate funds according to need) and while national climate policies need to follow centralized decision making.
• Expanding government and constitutionally decentralizing more powers to regional and local government.