ToolBOX
Observatory of Democracy in Central America: System of Legal and Institutional Governance Indicators for Central America
| Purpose |
The Project Observatory of Democracy in Central America proposes a system of indicators of legal and institutional governance for Central American countries. The idea is to provide State bodies and their institutions with benchmarks for legal and organisational performance at the national and sub-national levels. |
|---|---|
| Types of data used |
Objective data only, mainly from constitutions, secondary laws, decrees, and other provisions, budget data, etc. |
| Methodology |
The 99 variables and 475 indicators composing the System of Legal and Institutional Indicators of Democratic Governance cover five broad dimensions of institutional building, legal organization and public policies in contemporary societies: 1. Constitutional Framework, Legal Regime and Institutional Structure of the State; 2. Electoral System, Political Representation and Participation; 3. Financial and Public Fund System; 4. Public Investment on Democratic Institutions; 5. Local Government and Decentralisation.
Indicators are selected on the basis of three analytical categories: |
| Region |
Latin America and the Caribbean
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| Area of Governance |
Democracy Economic Governance Electoral Systems Justice Local Governance and Decentralization
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| Pro-poor /gender sensitive aspects |
No explicit gender or poverty focus. |
| Example indicators |
Framework of module on “Local Government and Decentralisation” and examples of indicators
AREAS OF VARIABLES VARIABLES
1 Constitutional and legal recognition of the frame of competitions and the operations of the local governments 2 Characteristics of the municipal management and performing of services 3 Nature and elements of the Municipal Finances and Patrimony
4 Coordination levels
NUMBER AND EXAMPLE OF INDICATORS
6 indicators e.g.: Existence of constitutional norms that regulate the organization and operation of the local governments.
8 indicators e.g.: There are annual programs of qualification and training which facilitate the promotion of the skills and the knowledge of the municipal civil employees. 11 indicators e.g.: Constitutional and/or legal norm that forces the transfer (transference of national rents) of resources to the local governments. 2 indicators e.g.: The municipality has capacity for: • Co fraternize and external relations with municipalities of other countries • Reception of cooperation of international agencies or bilateral from other countries • Inter-institutional agreements. |
| Where to find this tool |