Characteristics of Good Governance
Characteristics of Good Governance
The World Bank states six main characteristics as follows:
1. Voice and accountability that include civil liberties and political stability
2. Government effectiveness, which comprises the quality of policymaking and public service delivery
3. The quality of the regulatory framework
4. The rule of law which includes protection of property rights
5. Independents of the judiciary
6. Curbs on corruption
GOOD GOVERNANCE CHARACTERISTICS
- it is participatory,
- there is a consensus-oriented process for decision making, participants work together,
- there is accountability and transparency,
- there is a way to evaluate the effectiveness of the decisions and the process is efficient, and
- there is a built-in capacity to be responsive to the present and future needs of the members and the organization
Good Governance has 8 major characteristics.
Transparency: Transparency means that decisions are taken and their enforcement is done to follow rules and regulations. Information is freely available and directly accessible to those affected by such decisions and enforcement.
Participation: Participation could be either direct or through representatives.
Rule of law: Good school governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires the promotion or protection of human rights.
Equity and inclusiveness: Ensuring that all members of the organization feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, to improve or maintain their well-being.
Responsiveness: Good governance serves all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
Consensus oriented: Good governance requires mediation of the different interests.
Accountability: In general an organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions.
According to UNESCAP Good governance has 8 major characteristics.
It is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account, and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.
Participation
Participation by both men and women is a key cornerstone of good governance. Participation could be either direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or that representative democracy does not necessarily mean that the concerns of the most vulnerable in society would be taken into consideration in decision making. Participation needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.
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
Transparency means that decisions are taken and their enforcement is done to follow rules and regulations. It also means that information is freely available and directly accessible to those affected by such decisions and enforcement. It also means that enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily understandable forms and media.
Responsiveness
Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
Consensus oriented
There are several actors and as many viewpoints in a given society. 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. 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 depend on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, to have opportunities to improve or maintain their well-being.
Effectiveness 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. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.
Accountability
Accountability is a 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. Who is accountable to whom varies depending on whether decisions or actions taken are internal or external to an organization or institution. In general, 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.
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