"Decentralization (or decentralisation) is the process of redistributing or dispersing functions, powers, people or things away from a central location or authority. While centralization, especially in the governmental sphere, is widely studied and practiced, there is no common definition or understanding of decentralization. The meaning of decentralization may vary in part because of the different ways it is applied. Concepts of decentralization have been applied to group dynamics and management science in private businesses and organizations, political science, law and public administration, economics and technology."..... 1 History... 2 Overview: 2.1 Systems approach; 2.2 Goals; 2.3 Processes... 3 Government decentralization: 3.1 Political; 3.2 Administrative; 3.3 Fiscal; 3.4 Economic or market; 3.5 Environmental... 4 Ideological decentralization: 4.1 Libertarian socialist decentralization; 4.2 Free market decentralization... 5 Technological decentralization: 5.1 Information technology 5.1.1 Centralization and redecentralization of the Internet; 5.2 Appropriate technology; 6 Critiques... 7 See also... 8 References. 9 Further reading