Local Administration System1 in the United Arab Republic
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1002/j.1099-162X.1967.tb00661.x |
| Published date | 01 April 1967 |
| Date | 01 April 1967 |
| Author | Ibrahim Mohammed Osman |
Local
Administration System1
in the United Arab Republic
By
IBRAHIM
MOHAMMED
OSMAN
. Mr. Osman is Director General for Planning and Research, and General Secretary
in
LocalAdministration, the Cabinet, U.A.R., Cairo.
Introduction
THEUnited Arab Republic has introduced a new system
of
local administra-
tion.
In
doing so we have given careful study to the systems
of
other countries
but
we have not followed any other particular model. Rather have we
devised
our
own new system so as to suit best our own community and
our
?WD
social conditions. Having evolved our own methods we have been flexible
in
allowing ourselves to make changes in
the
light
of
experience gained so
as to provide for the conditions, habits, traditions and urgent needs in
the
different parts
of
the Republic. Ithink this is an experience in which may
be found something new, different and
of
considerable general interest.
In
the United Arab Republic we have not adopted
our
local administrative
system just as a means for passing more powers and functions from
the
central government to local authorities, nor just to facilitate
the
task
of
central government.
Nor
have we adopted it as a means for creating new
ｐｾｓｴｳ
so as to avoid the problem
of
unemployment.
No,
we have really
tried this system as a sound way
of
achieving the revolutionary transition
tOwards democracy
and
socialism as being the joint
and
complementary
Ineans
of
maintaining an efficient and just regime.
IIistory
It
may be convenient here to make a
brief
mention
of
the
historical back-
grOund to local government developments in the Republic.
In 1820 Egypt had four categories
of
local unit which were Mudiriyyah or
Province, Markaz or District, Qism or sub-district and the "village".
The
heads
of
these units used to be centrally appointed.
The
administration
sYStem
in these localities continued to be highly centralized up to 1952.
aUral
Social
Centres
. Between 1941
and
1954, about
170
rural social centres were established in
\Tillages
to serve rural communities in
the
economic, social, cultural
and
health fields.
These
units were to function through
the
assistance
and
active
［Ｎｾ｣ｩｰ｡ｴｩｯｮ
of
the villagers.
The
project was aimed at developing something
I.milar
to a local government formed by the people themselves to solve their
ｾｮ
pr.oblems
and
improve their conditions
of
living.
It
was also hoped
that
nught arouse interest in self-government and democracy at the local
--------------------
ｾ
For the purpose of this article the
unit
of local government administered by a
vernor, Whether urban or rural, is describeJ as a Region. Ed.
85
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