Why is flawed decentralisation generating corruption in Venezuela?

This multiple case study focuses on the following four factors, all related to flawed decentralization, that increase bureaucratic corruption and mismanagement at local levels of government in Venezuela: (1) municipal atomization, i.e., excessive numbers of local government units; (2) increasing local bureaucracy as measured by public salaries and number of bureaucrats; (3) vertical fiscal imbalances, namely the lack of revenue autonomy; and (4) the creation of community councils, which introduce new tiers of undemocratic, dependent governments. To address these relevant issues, two viable decentralization-related policies would consolidate poor and unpopulated units into more autonomous governments, and allow more flexible changes to the rate of at least one important local tax.