9780230_517523_08_ch07.3d 11/23/2007 17:05:51 7 Improving Local Management Hendri Kroukamp and Liezel Lues 7.1 Introduction From time to time the right of existence of local government is questioned and reasons are given why its institutions cannot be justified. However, if the arguments for and against the right of existence are carefully analyzed and compared with the objectives of such institu- tions, it becomes clear that such arguments should not be about the pros and cons for the existence of local government, but about the manage- ment and rationalization of the system. It is therefore important to determine how the components of the system have adapted to the changing environment in which they are found and how, through modernization, more efficient and effective services can be rendered through improved local management to enhance the general welfare of the citizens. In this chapter attention will be paid to global initiatives to improve local management. The discussion will first deal with the concepts: ‘improving’, ‘local, management’ and ‘modernization’. Next, the position of new public management, namely that of the state and citizen-centered program delivery, will be discussed. Several examples of the improvement of local management in practice will then steer the chapter to conclude with a more practical approach. It will also include the importance of the implementation of policy as a source of progress. 7.2 Dimensions of the crucial concepts It is imperative to correctly define the three concepts: ‘improving’, ‘local’ and ‘management’ respectively in the context of the subject matter. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, ‘improving’ means ‘to enhance in value or quality; . . . to increase the value of (land or property) 107