| Abstract: | In 1968 administrative reforms were announced in Zambia which have been interpreted as involving a commitment to decentralization. The announcement came against a background of moves to strengthen party control over the bureaucracy, and a feature of the reforms was the reinforcement of this control. Subsequent developments have been characterized by the establishment of greater control over governmental administration in provinces and districts by party political appointees and by closer control over local party officials by party appointees from the centre. These developments have not been accompanied by decentralization within ministries, and functional ministries retain control over their field agents. |
