Note on GOOD GOVERNANCE

Objectives

At the end of the session the participants will be able

1. to explain in a few sentences what good governance is
2. list out the principles of Good governance
3. spell out the importance of good governance in the institutional
context

Introduction

In any discussion on good governance, attention must be focused on the

primary responsibilities of the government. These must include the
maintenance of law and order, administration of justice, and welfare of
economically and socially weaker sections of society in terms of provision
of safety net for them. Here again it is seen that, in its anxiety to do
thousand and one other things, these primary responsibilities have been
neglected over the years. It can truly be said that he who governs the least
governs the best! If this principle had been followed in governance all
these years, India would not have presented a picture of such squalor,
filth, illiteracy and poverty even fifty years after Independence. The main
question is whether we are prepared to learn lessons for the future from
our experience of the past.

At the outset, it needs to be appreciated that the concept of good

governance is much larger than mere administrative reforms in the
conventional sense of the term. In fact, it covers much more ground and
substance than administrative reforms. Good governance has much to do
with the ethical grounding of governance and must be evaluated with
reference to specific norms and objectives as may be laid down. It looks at
the functioning of the given segment of the society from the point of view
of its acknowledged stakeholders and beneficiaries and customers. It must
have firm moorings to certain moral values and principles. Good
governance, as a concept, is applicable to all sections of society such as the
government, legislature, judiciary, the media, the private sector, the
corporate sector, the co-operatives, societies registered under the Societies
Registration Act, duly registered trusts, organizations such as the trade
unions and lastly the non-government organisations (NGOs). Public
accountability and transparency are as relevant for the one as for the other.
The five basic principles of good governance as given by the United
Nations Development Programme are as given in the Box 1

Box 1 : Five Principles of Good Governance

The Five Good The UNDP Principles and related UNDP text on which
Governance they are based
Principles
Participation – all men and women should have a voice in
1. Legitimacy decision-making, either directly or through legitimate
and Voice intermediate institutions that represent their intention. Such
broad participation is built on freedom of association and
speech, as well as capacities to participate constructively.

Strategic vision – leaders and the public have a broad and

long-term perspective on good governance and human
2. Direction development, along with a sense of what is needed for such
development. There is also an understanding of the
historical, cultural and social complexities in which that
perspective is grounded.

Responsiveness – institutions and processes try to serve all

3. Performance stakeholders. Effectiveness and efficiency – processes and
institutions produce results that meet needs while making
the best use of resources.

Accountability – decision-makers in government, the

private sector and civil society organizations are accountable
to the public, as well as to institutional stakeholders. This
4. Accountability accountability differs depending on the organizations and
whether the decision is internal or external.
Transparency – transparency is built on the free flow of
information. Processes, institutions and information are
directly accessible to those concerned with them, and
enough information is provided to understand and monitor
them.
5. Fairness Equity – all men and women have opportunities to improve
or maintain their well being.
Rule of Law – legal frameworks should be fair and enforced
impartially, particularly the laws on human rights.
1. Good governance means focusing on the organisation’s purpose
and on outcomes for citizens and service users

1.1 Being clear about the organisation’s purpose and its intended
outcomes for citizens and service users 1.2 Making sure that users
receive a high quality service 1.3 Making sure that taxpayers receive
value for money.

2. Good governance means performing effectively in clearly defi ned

functions and roles

2.1 Being clear about the functions of the governing body

2.2 Being clear about the responsibilities of non-executives and the
executive, and making sure that those responsibilities are carried out
2.3 Being clear about relationships between governors and the public

3. Good governance means promoting values for the whole

organisation and demonstrating the values of good governance
through behaviour

3.1 Putting organisational values into practice

3.2 Individual governors behaving in ways that uphold and exemplify
effective governance

4. Good governance means taking informed, transparent decisions

and managing risk

4.1 Being rigorous and transparent about how decisions are taken
4.2 Having and using good quality information, advice and support
4.3 Making sure that an effective risk management system is in
operation.

5. Good governance means developing the capacity and capability of

the governing body to be effective

5.1 Making sure that appointed and elected governors have the skills,
knowledge and experience they need to perform well.
5.2 Developing the capability of people with governance responsibilities
and evaluating their performance, as individuals and as a group.
5.3 Striking a balance, in the membership of the governing body,
between continuity and renewal

6. Good governance means engaging stakeholders and making

accountability real

6.1 Understanding formal and informal accountability relationships

6.2 Taking an active and planned approach to dialogue with and
accountability to the public.
6.3 Taking an active and planned approach to responsibility to staff
6.4 Engaging effectively with institutional stakeholders

Conclusion

To achieve Good Governance the Government shall be on a mission to

follow clarity, conviction, compassion and consistency in governance
which are prerequisites to achieve the principles and vision of good
governance. Clarity promotes transparency, participatory and efficient
governance. Conviction promotes accountable and effective governance.
Compassion promotes consensus oriented, equitable and inclusive
governance.

Consistency promotes responsive governance, follows the rule of the law

and modernizes itself according to the needs and changes of the society
upholding the guiding principles of the Constitution. The Government
shall act as a facilitator for the people, market and civil society and remain
a prudent regulator to ensure social equity and fair competition in the
society. The changes in the role of the Government will be carefully
defined and communicated so that the people will understand that
changes are in their interest. Decentralization is an essential part of the
government to make more efficient and responsive. The Government shall
Strengthen local government and management by devolving
administrative and economic powers and responsibilities. The
Government will directly involve people in the management of the
services they use. The Government is committed to minimize citizen
interface with the Government Departments by introducing the Internet,
Web and groupware technologies will be used to create national electronic
highways and networks at all points of contact between the people and the
Government. The primary task of the government shall be to ensure
efficient and responsive services, making it easy for the people to gain
essential information from the government and ensure that they have
recourse to mechanisms that punish wrongdoing. Charters shall be
introduced to improve the quality and effectiveness of public services.

References

1. REPORT OF THE ONE MAN COMMITTEE ON GOOD

GOVERNANCE DR. MADHAV GODBOLE JULY 2001.
2. The good governance standard for public service delivery by the
independent commission in public services.
3. Principles for good governance in the 21st century- Policy Brief
No.15- August 2003 By John Draham et al.

Dr. Anishia Jayadev

Lecturer, IMG