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Synopsis The trends towards decentralization worldwide has been accompanied by differing perceptions n its costs and benefits. Decentralization of power from the centre to the provinces, districts and villages, of course, enables people to participate in decision-making more directly. However, democratic decentralization requires more than just decentralization and devolving power. It also envisages widening participation of the marginalized-women, minorities and the poor-and increasing accountability of public officials at local levels. Framed against the above background, the book presents an introductory overview of the global and regional processes in decentralization and proceeds to unfold the dynamics of institutional proliferation/linkages, issues of inclusion and participatory justice, protection of human rights at the grassroots, accountability and transparency under decentralized governance, and social development perspectives of decentralized planning process. Apart from its road reflections on the Indian scenario, the book captures the specific experiences of Kerala in decentralization overt eh last decade.