Reduction of regional imbalances is an explicit goal of a wide range of governments. In general, it is more difficult to reduce imbalances in decentralized systems than in centralized ones. Decentralization may still be desirable for political and other reasons, however, in which case national administrators have to devise ways to work within decentralized frameworks but still achieve overall goals. This article outlines strategies employed in a number of countries, paying particular attention to the distribution of financial and human resources. Also addressed are issues of diversity and conformity in education systems. Reduction of regional imbalances does not necessarily require imposition of uniformity, but the diversity encouraged by decentralization is not always desirable.
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