Reviews recent lessons about decentralized governance and implications for future development programs and policies.

1. Introduction Jonathan A. Rodden and Erik Wibbels; 2. The social underpinnings of decentralized governance: networks, technology and the future of social accountability Erik Wibbels; 3. Leadership selection rules and decentralized governance Guy Grossman; 4. Traditional leaders, service delivery and electoral accountability Kate Baldwin and Pia Raffler; 5. Decentralized rule and revenue Jonathan Rodden; 6. The proliferation of decentralized governing units Jan H. Pierskalla; 7. Decentralization and business performance Edmund Malesky; 8. Decentralization and urban governance in the developing world: experiences to-date and avenues for future research Christopher Carter and Alison E. Post; 9. Decentralization in post-conflict settings: assessing community-driven development in the wake of violence Fotini Christia; 10. Clientelism in decentralized states Gianmarco León and Leonard Wantchekon; 11. Decentralization and ethnic diversity Thad Dunning; 12. From decentralization research to policy and programs: a practical postscript Derick W. Brinkerhoff, Anna Wetterberg and Gary A. Bland; Index.