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Using German and French examples, this article aims to show that the comparative approach offers a mutual and not just one-sided method of learning that is useful for the development of administrative law.Through the comparative analysis of extensive changes in the two legal systems that are affecting those concerned with the development of administrative law, the influence of the democratic principle and the structure of local administration, the authors highlight parallel developments and areas of convergence which provide an extra source of solutions and models for use by politico-administrative systems that are often confronted with the same difficulties.