The article discusses how giving more financial power to local governments and citizens can make them more empowered. The author looks at how money matters in making decentralization work well. They argue that when local governments have more money to spend and can raise taxes locally, people and governments feel more empowered. However, just having money doesn't always mean good things for everyone. The author says that more research is needed to see if giving power to local governments and citizens actually helps make things better for everyone.