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초록

While several studies have been conducted on the relations between central and local governments, the citizens’ perception on the relations have been relatively neglected. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors influencing the expansion of local government authority. The current study focuses on the citizens’ perception of the competence of and trust in local governments and divides the capacities of local government into ethical and administrative capacities. This study establishes a mediating effect model in which these capacities affect the expansion of authority of local governments through trust in local governments. For this reason, the research conducts a three-step regression analysis using data from the Institute for Future Government survey results. The findings indicate that citizens’ trust in local governments increases as their perception of the ethical and administrative capacities of local governments increases, which in turn has a positive impact on expansion of local governments’ authority. A competent and fair government is a prerequisite for the people as the principals to delegate more powers to the governments as agents. However, the people will only support the expansion of local government when these capacities build public trust.