Local political autonomy

A review of the literature

Abstract

This review of the literature on local political autonomy is meant as a contribution to the research on municipal and local government in Brazil. Based on the separation of normative and empirical theories of local government, the text analyzes both the concept of local political autonomy itself as well as its elements, limitations, and forms of measurement. It is argued
that studies and research on this concept may contribute to a better understanding o f local reality in Brazil, which is a nation characterized by heterogeneity. Moreover, the Brazilian experience may also be an important way of ‘testing’ theories and concepts developed within the reality of more homogenous countries.