The Local Government System and Organization Development

Abstract

The Hungarian local government system has undergone significant transformation since the coming into effect of the Fundamental Law in 2011. The precedent state-organizing attitude related to local governance and local governing has changed, local service competences between the central and local sector were significantly rearranged, whereas the general rules concerning the organization and operation of local governments have changed only to a small extent. While state predominance increased, the autonomy of local governments decreased even more, and the difference among the various municipalities increased in respect to opportunities and real room for manoeuver. In order to maintain the local government system, it is indispensable to develop and improve the local governing capacities of local government leaders through trainings. It is necessary for the organization development supporting local government practice, to be adequately differentiated, because as a result of access to limited resources, small municipalities need a completely different support than bigger municipalities with larger infrastructure, including the office and the institutional network.