Analysing multilevel governance dynamics in India: exercising hierarchy through the Smart Cities Mission

Louise Reardon*, Greg Marsden, Morgan Campbell, Sanjay Gupta, Ashish Verma

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

This paper provides a theoretically informed empirical analysis of how Narendra Modi’s claim of ‘more governance, less government’ is felt in practice in India. It does so through a qualitative case study of the Smart Cities Mission and its implementation in four cities, applying multilevel governance theorizing. It finds centralizing dynamics at play through the use of ‘special purpose vehicles’, which bypass local-level institutions. The paper highlights how multilevel governance dynamics can be shaped through institutional design, a point overlooked in the literature. It also raises questions about the risks of such arrangements for long-term, democratic development.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages19
JournalTerritory, Politics, Governance
Early online date23 Aug 2022
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 23 Aug 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • India
  • multilevel governance
  • urban governance
  • Smart Cities
  • urban development
  • hierarchy
  • special purpose bodies
  • public policy

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