Decentralization and re-centralization of power in Colombia. The search for a balance between the nation and territorial agencies

Abstract

A unitary and centralized state has been the preferred model of government in Colombia since the Constitution of 1886. This partly explains the difficulties encountered by the state from the beginning in terms of decentralizing its power. The authors believe the decentralization process that began in the 1980s was mainly the result of two conflicting situations. To begin with, decentralization was an attempt, in theory, to respond to the community on the crisis of legitimacy of the state, since a large portion of the Colombian population did not feel represented by the national government. however, in practice, the decentralization process was a strategy the national government used to formalize the discourse on decentralization, so as to relieve unwanted political pressure in this respect. Yet, in fact, there were no policies or effective mechanisms to give local authorities greater power for decision-making or management.