Glossary

The glossary will help you familiarise yourself with the basic concepts of local self-government, multi-level governance, and decentralisation.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Word	Explanation
Central Government	The central government (or central government infrastructure) consists of all government units that have national-level responsibilities. The political authority of the central government extends across the entire territory of the country. The central government is typically composed of multiple groups of central ministries, departments, or agencies, which together form a single institutional unit. Additionally, in many countries, it includes other operational entities that function under the authority of the central government and have a separate legal status.
Corporate body	A corporate body is a group of people or an organization that has a separate legal identity (or ‘legal personality’) from its members and acts as a single entity (or single body). Corporate bodies have legal rights and responsibilities, similar to a natural person, and can enter into contracts, own property, sue or be sued in their own name, and conduct business independently․

Word

Explanation

Central Government

The central government (or central government infrastructure) consists of all government units that have national-level responsibilities. The political authority of the central government extends across the entire territory of the country. The central government is typically composed of multiple groups of central ministries, departments, or agencies, which together form a single institutional unit. Additionally, in many countries, it includes other operational entities that function under the authority of the central government and have a separate legal status.

Corporate body

A corporate body is a group of people or an organization that has a separate legal identity (or ‘legal personality’) from its members and acts as a single entity (or single body). Corporate bodies have legal rights and responsibilities, similar to a natural person, and can enter into contracts, own property, sue or be sued in their own name, and conduct business independently․