Abstract:
Tanzania has crafted one of the most creative models of local governments in the world with the potential to improve the lives of marginalized communities. As such, the author used Participatory Action Research (PAR) in an attempt to improve the model and for its strengths in empowering communities. The author collaborated with 120 community representatives, as co-researchers, from across four selected local government councils in Tanzania to examine the role of local governments in delivering public services to marginalized smallholder farmers. The exercise was enriched through the interaction with 128 local government officials. Overall, although the Tanzanian local government model has the potential to improve lives, there is a need to focus on increasing its efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services. The current focus aiming at creating more units of local government increases operational expenses. Increased operational expenses hinder the ability of the local governments to deliver agricultural extension and other public services. Moreover, the findings imply that although local governments need to be awarded some autonomy, they ought to continue working with the central government for the common good of the entire nation. Finally, this study serves as evidence that PAR can help build participatory local government structures on a sustainable basis. The local governments need to be more participatory through the creation of participatory social structures. Those can pave way for the full realization of the potential of the Tanzanian model of local government. The gender perspective has to be incorporated in local governance because the findings highlight that women are disproportionately affected by the failure of the local governments in the provision of public services. The article uniquely seeks to contribute to the African political literature as well as literature highlighting the role of PAR through fostering both co-learning with local co-researchers as well as transformative dialogue among researchers, local governments, and local communities.
