Local Self–government and the Problems of Local Self–government in Lithuania

Abstract

In this article a presently existing public administration system in Lithuania as well as the position of municipalities
(subjects of local self–government) in that system are described, the features of the „real” local self–government
are being formulated, potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government are distinguished and currently
main problems of municipalities of Lithuania are indicated.
The author of the article notes that in Lithuania up till now the concept of the „real” local self–government has
not been clearly and unambiguously defined yet. That makes the formulation of target goals, tasks and means as well
as their implementation developing the system of local self–government more difficult. Seeking at least partly to fill
the existing gap, the author of the article formulates eight features of the „real” local self–government.
Having defined the problem of local self–government as a deviation from the „normal” conditions for the
functioning of the local self–government system that cause negative changes in the system, the author of the article
shows the relationship between the „normal” conditions for the functioning of local self–government and the formulated
features of the „real” local self–government. According to this relationship the author of the article indicates
eight potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government.
On the basis of the accumulated knowledge and acquired experience the author of the article points out five
groups of currently particularly important problems for local self–government of Lithuania, which are conditionally
named as follows: 1) suppressed independence; 2) insufficient constructiveness of the relationship among different
levels of government; 3) economic problems of municipalities; 4) not involving community members in managing
local affairs; 5) inertness of municipalities.