Download or read book Fiscal fragmentation in decentralized countries written by Richard Miller Bird and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. This book was released on 2014-05-14 with total page 451 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most countries, developed and developing, are fiscally decentralized with regional and local governments of varying importance. In many of these countries, some of these sub-national governments differ substantially from others in terms of wealth, ethnic, religious, or linguistic composition. This book considers how fiscal arrangements may strengthen or weaken national solidarity and the effectiveness with which public services are provided. In particular, the nation's ability to cope with changes created by decentralization is explored.