Decentralizacija ir teritorinė savivalda Lietuvoje
Decentralization and Autonomy for Local Authorities in Lithuania

Summary/Abstract: The main aim of the article is to reveal problem of decentralization of autonomy for local authorities and territorial administration in Lithuania. The reform of administrative division and autonomy for local authorities of the country runs slowly and complicated. The article claims that the main reasons are related to the absence of authentic traditions of autonomy for local authorities as well as to constant changes of centralized models of territorial administration. The history of Lithuania shows that even during 20th century models of territorial administration of the country have been changed several times, though centralized government prevailed and autonomy for local authorities was very limited. This prevented formation of territorial autonomy for local authorities and community traditions, solidarity among population was decreasing while indifference to the social needs was increasing. The absence of local and regional autonomy for local authorities makes Lithuania a unique rather unitary state, with a transformed soviet administrative division. Because of these reasons the problem of reformation and decentralization of territorial administration of Lithuania remains topical.

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