THE CONCEPT OF GOVERNANCE

David N. Almarez
PA 241
 DEFINING GOVERNANCE
The manner in which power is exercised in the management of a
country’s economic and social resources for development
World Bank

The exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to

manage a country’s affairs at all levels … equitable, rule of law, with
consensus
UNDP

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 QUALITIES OF GOVERNMENT
Economic liberalism: private ownership, investment, equity
Political pluralism: democracy, participation,
decentralisation
Social development: human rights, law, judiciary, press
Administrative accountability: more transparency, less
corruption
aimed at economy, efficiency, effectiveness

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 MORE QUALITIES (Private Sector)
Deregulation to remove restrictions, but ensure
compliance with agreed codes
Reduction of monopolies and cartels where corrupt
benefits are increased by reducing supplies; and,
Increase in competition and ownership where
profits are increased by supplying more and better
goods, services
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 QUANTITIES OF GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC SECTOR:
Less Government (economic necessity), liberate economy, sell
parastatals
reduce bureaucracy, contract work out
But more (to meet social and technological needs) fight drugs, terrorism,
money-laundering, regulate information, protect environment
And continued Government for security, defence, health, education,
employment, etc...

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 PRIORITIES OF GOVERNANCE
Concern of governments, donors, ‘CSOs’, with Better
goals or ‘ends’
Development, Economic growth
Democracy, participation (or ‘keeping people happy’)
Non-discrimination, fairness; poverty alleviation
Choosing means or techniques
Transparency and accountability; competition
Measures combining means and ends
Partnerships (public-private, civil society)
Ethics and Good Governance 6

Devolution; decentralisation; co-operation

 PARTICIPATION
Encourage Participation
Aim at involvement, partnership
Identify stakeholders, involve end users
Inform them; give them voice; consult
But locate ownership and responsibility, with somebody held
to account
Seek co-operation for mutual benefit
But take care with ‘co-ordination’ where co-coordinators
may seize
power, and bureaucracy cause delays 7
 DEVOLUTION
Modern societies are centralised, with power exercised by an
educated and equipped elite
BUT the people want more say as they get more educated and
informed
AND managers need more support from more specialised staff
HENCE we find pressures to devolve, decentralise, delegate, empower
AND need to strengthen core values

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 NON-DISCRIMINATION
In providing the services of Government
No favours for the rich and powerful
No prejudice against people on basis of politics, race, creed
In appointing and promoting staff
Have clear (transparent) criteria of merit and
representation of different groups

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 Good governance: definition

Governance: process of decision-making and the process

by which decisions are implemented (or not
implemented).
 Good governance

Hereby, public institutions conduct public affairs,

manage public resources, and guarantee the
realization of human rights.
Good governance accomplishes this in a manner
essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with
due regard for the rule of law
 Good
governance
Openess
Participation
Responsibilit
y
Effectiveness
Coherence
6 Principles of Good Governance
 Principles of Good
Governance
1. Good governance means focusing on the organisation’s
purpose and on outcomes for citizens and users
Governing body should make sure there is a clear statement
of the organisation’s purpose
Governing body should decide how value for money is
measured
2. Good governance means performing effectively in clearly
defined functions and roles
Governing body should set out clearly its approach to
performing each of the functions of governance
Governing body should clarify that all its members have
collective responsibility for decisions and have equal status
in decisions
 Principles of Good Governance
3. Good governance means promoting values for the whole
organisation and demonstrating the values of good
governance through behaviour
Governing body should take the lead in establishing and
promoting values for the organisation and its staff
Governors should live up to approved codes or guides to
ethical conduct for their organisation
4. Good governance means taking informed, transparent
decisions and managing risk
Governing body should draw up formal statement that
specifies the types of decisions that are delegated to
executive and which are reserved for governing body
 Principles of Good Governance
5. Good governance means developing the capacity and capability
of the governing body to be effective

Governing body should assess the skills of governors need to fulfil

their functions
New governors should receive a thorough induction and ongoing
training
6. Good governance means engaging stakeholders and making
accountability real

Governing Body should make clear, to itself and staff, to whom it is

accountable and what
Governing body should make it clear that the organisation as a
whole seeks feedback and enters dialogue with stakeholders
Characteristics of good
governance
 Participation
Participation by both men and women
- a key cornerstone of good
governance.
Participation: direct or through
legitimate intermediate institutions or
representatives.
 Participation
Participation: informed and organized.
Freedom of association and expression; an
organized civil society
 Rule of
law
Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that
are enforced impartially. It also requires full
protection of human rights, particularly those of
minorities. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an
independent judiciary and an impartial and
incorruptible police force.
 Transparency
Decisions taken and their enforcement done in
a manner that follows rules and regulations.
 Transparen
cy
Information is freely available and directly
accessible to those who will be affected by such
decisions and their enforcement.
Enough information provided; it is provided in
easily understandable forms and media.
 Responsivenes
s
Good governance requires that institutions and
processes try to serve all stakeholders within a
reasonable timeframe.
 Consensus oriented
Good governance requires mediation of the different
interests in society to reach a broad consensus in
society on what is in the best interest of the whole
community and how this can be achieved.
 Good
governance
It also requires a broad and long-term perspective
on what is needed for sustainable human
development and how to achieve the goals of such
development. This can only result from an
understanding of the historical, cultural and social
contexts of a given society or community
 Equity and
inclusiveness
A society’s well-being depends on ensuring that all
its members feel that they have a stake in it and do
not feel excluded from the mainstream of society.
 Equity and inclusiveness
This requires all groups, but particularly
the most vulnerable, have opportunities to
improve or maintain their well-being.
 Efectiveness and efficiency
Good governance means that processes and
institutions produce results that meet the needs of
society while making the best use of resources at their
disposal.
 Efectiveness and efficiency
The concept of efficiency in the context of good
governance also covers the sustainable use of natural
resources and the protection of the environment.
 Accountabili
ty
Accountability - key requirement of good
governance.
Not only governmental institutions but also the
private sector and civil society organizations must
be accountable to the public and to their
institutional stakeholders.
 Accountability
An organization or an institution is accountable to those who
will be affected by its decisions or actions. Accountability
cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law.
 Focu
s
The role of citizens and civil society
Transparency
Legitimacy
Efficiency
Human rights
The rule of law
Better quality of public services
Modern information and communication
technologies
Better human resources management
 Citizens
Partners who contribute to results of activities in
public administration
Should be informed and consulted
Participate in the creation of public policies and
administrative and other public processes