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Ideology, local administration and problems of rural development in the Republic of Benin
Author(s) -
Ayo S. Bamidele
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
public administration and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1099-162X
pISSN - 0271-2075
DOI - 10.1002/pad.4230040406
Subject(s) - administration (probate law) , ideology , limiting , the republic , economic growth , political science , rural development , rural area , economics , politics , geography , law , agriculture , mechanical engineering , philosophy , theology , archaeology , engineering
Administration at the grass‐roots level is expected to be a vehicle for local development. This explains why governments in the Third World Countries and even in the industrialized states have always demonstrated their willingness actively to involve their grass‐root administrations in promoting rural socio‐economic transformation. The Republic of Benin is one of the Third World countries where local administration is involved in promoting rural development. However, the local administration has failed to make a noteworthy contribution to rural development, especially since the inception of the regime of Brigadier Mathieu Kerekou. This paper attempts to explain the minimal contribution of local administration to rural development in Benin. One of the key reasons elaborated is the existence of other institutions charged with the same responsibility of promoting rural development. Finally, attention is drawn to the method used in translating socialist ideology into reality through co‐operatives and the mobilization of human resources. This method conflicts with the interests of the masses which are being alienated, thereby limiting the success recorded by the local administrators.