Local government in practice: Evidence from two villages in northern Albania

This article examines how local government operated in two villages in nort hern Albania and describes how these two communities organized themselves t o negotiate with the state. Post-communist local government is examined by means of its functions as a provider and an organizer. The reluctance of ce ntral government to devolve power was reflected in the resources allocated to local government institutions and thus on their performance. While Alban ian cultural traditions were a source of support and cohesion in,the villag es, they were no substitute for the development of the capacity to collecti vely negotiate with the state. There was a link between the way in which in stitutions were socially embedded and the capacity of the villages to form and support representative bodies. The article concludes that local governm ent has been undervalued and argues for greater attention to be focused on the nexus composed of citizens and the institutions of government which are closest to them. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.