| Summary/Abstract |
As democracy develops in poor countries around the world, wealthier countries have sought to enhance social development and democratization through foreign aid. Although the national state has historically been the recipient of aid, some donors have begun to consider donations to local governments. If local government is democratic, it may deliver aid more immediately than does national government. The question relates to concerns in comparative politics about which level of government best enhances democratization, the national or the local level. This article speaks to International Relations and comparative politics by suggesting that, under sequencing conditions that grant political autonomy first, local government can be democratic and can be an effective recipient for aid. The article explores the Nicaraguan case where these conditions prevailed to show how this scenario can unfold. In Nicaragua, donors have had a powerful effect on improving people’s lives and on advancing democratization. As the democratic quality of the national government has declined, foreign aid has continued to advance democratization by providing mayors with a resource base independent of national government.
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