Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of public administration within a particular sovereign state.
This particular usage of the word government refers specifically to a level of administration that is both geographically-localised and has limited powers.
While in some countries, “government” is normally reserved purely for a national administration (government) (which may be known as a central government or federal government), the term local government is always used specifically in contrast to national government – as well as, in many cases, the activities of sub-national, first-level administrative divisions (which are generally known by names such as cantons, provinces, states, oblasts, or regions).
Local governments generally act only within powers specifically delegated to them by law and/or directives of a higher level of government.
In federal states, local government generally comprises a third or fourth tier of government, whereas in unitary states, local government usually occupies the second or third tier of government.
Last Updated on 3 years by pinc