Decentralization, Local Administration and Local Management Reforms

Decentralization and centralization seem to be ongoing contradicting trends. Or Is there a convergence or a divergence regarding the systems of local self government. What are the internal structures, functions and actors? Local administration reforms have professionalized most local bureaucracies. Are they delivering and implementing appropriate policies (sustainability, health etc.). Is there unfunded mandates? Decentralization includes theoretical papers and empirical analysis on policies of decentralization.