Academic Perspectives of Governance

The theoretical discussion on governance from academic

perspectives has a long history. The political philosophies
(South Asian, Chinese, European) of different civilizations
of history tried to explain the better forms and functions
of government according to their context.

Among these political theories of government the

European models of governance were widely discussed
and used by different nations. Even today these European
models have their influence on government mechanism of
modern states. In Western theories, governance is
perceived as the reflection of functioning democracy.
Classical Democracy: Model of Athens
In the fifth century BC, Athens emerged as the pre-
eminent `city- state´ or polis among many rival Greek
powers.
Its political ideals- equality among citizens, liberty,
respect for the law and justice- have shaped political
thinking in the West through the ages.
For the classical Athenian model, good governance
covered only 'citizens', an entity that excluded all adult
males of a particular race and in a limited geographic area-
the city-states. Women and slave had no voice.
Good Governance was guaranteed only to those who
'mattered' in society. Stratification of rights and privileges
was along the same lines and intensity as the stratification
of society.
Confucian’s view on Governance
According to Confucian teachings, prosperity requires
stability and a society well ordered into strict hierarchical
relationships: children obey parents, who obey officials,
who obey rulers. One of the key principles of Confucian
teaching is that “the stability of society is based on
unequal relationship between people”.

These relationships are based on mutual, complementary

obligations: the junior partner owes the senior respect and
obedience; and the senior owes the junior partner
protection and care.
Con’t
The Chinese, with their Confucianism, created an
elaborate intellectual structure of an ethical order.
Rulers were accordingly seen to having the moral
authority upon the rest of the people. They were also
expected to be able to relieve everyone’s distresses.
 Table - Classical Model of democracy
General conditions Key features Principle(s) of justification
 Small city-state  Direct participation of citizens in Individuals are entitled to
 Slave economy legislative and judicial functions the status and role of
creating `free´ time for  Assembly of citizens has sovereign citizens, and they should
citizens power enjoy political equality in
 Domestic service, that  The scope of sovereign power to order that they be free to
is, the labor of include all the common affairs of the rule and be ruled in turn
women, freeing men city
for public duties  Multiple methods of selection of
 Restriction of candidates for public office (direct
citizenship to election, lot,
relatively small rotation)
numbers  No distinctions of privilege to
differentiate ordinary citizens and
public officials
 With the exception of positions
connected to warfare, the same office
cannot be held more than twice by the
same individual
 Short terms office for all
 Payment for public services