Grassroots Governance in Germany and India: A Comparative Analysis

Local Governance assumes significance in the present context of globalization. It is important in the developing countries particularly in the Afro-Asian countries. Because the present dispensation of decentralization of powers is meant for empowerment of the marginalized. The current wave of decentralization is to involve and engage the marginalized in governance and development activities. Local governance is seen as a tool and mechanism to achieve inclusive development and inclusive governance. In this context an attempt is made to compare the grassroots institution, namely the lowest unit of governance in India and Germany. It is almost a comparison of working of Gram Panchayat in India and a equivalent unit in Germany. It has been done through a case analysis. It gives a picture about how a village life is organized and administered through an institutional mechanism. Less government more governance can be seen when ours is compared with the western countries.