Governance and Development

Managers
 Who are development managers?
 What is institutional arrangements?
 What is governance?
 What is “good” governance?
 Why is there a need for good governance?

How development managers uses institutional

arrangements towards good governance?
Within the public sector, development managers are
persons that are in charge of the practical and
theoretical aspects of the concept, design, coordination,
implementation and analysis of the affairs of that
organization.

These organizations are either public or private entities

used to carry out functions of the state.
What are institutions?
 Institutions are commonly defined as the ‘rules of the game’,
including norms, beliefs, values, habits and behaviour (Menard,
2000)
They include both formal and informal arrangements, they can
range from local to global level, and may give rise to compliance
or resistance.

Therefore institutional arrangements:

This refers to the delegation, distribution or sharing of power
related to growth, management , decision making and
implementation authority. (adapted from http://
depts.washington.edu/visions/IAExamples.htm )
 Governance is the set of policies, rules,
responsibilities, and processes established to
guide, direct and control how the state reaches
their political, social and economical goals.
 According to the USAID, UNESCAP and DFID, good governance
is competent management of the country’s resources and affairs
in a manner that is transparent, open, accountable, equitable and
responsive to the needs of its people.
 Governance operates at several levels.
 At the political level,
 At the macroeconomic level
 On the legal front
 At the sector level
 Good governance fosters a path for strong and
stable economic development. Poor
governance could adversely affect private
market confidence and reduce private capital
inflows and investment, thus retarding
economic growth.
 Promotes sustainable development and
institutional capacity.
 Responsiveness
 Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to
serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
 Transparency
 Transparency refers to the availability of information to the
general public and clarity about government rules, regulations,
and decisions.

 Accountability
 When the exercise of government decision-making is
accountable, it adds strength and legitimacy to state-society
interactions. A classic form of accountability is the vote,
allowing citizens to periodically hold governments to account
for their rule. Fiscal accountability is ensured through effective
functioning of offices and roles of the controller and auditor-
general. Other modes of political accountability include the
legislature, an effective opposition, sufficient staff resources and
oversight committees. Between elections, accountability
mechanisms include the operation of a free and independent
media, and civil society initiatives. (www.updea-africa.org)
 Rules & Regulation
 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. (UNESCAP)

 Consensus Oriented
 There are several actors and as many view points 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.
 Effective & Efficient
 Reformation
 Improving education and training
 Appropriate sanctions in the judiciary system
 Avenues for practical recourse/appeal for citizens
 Make information available and accessible to the
public .
 Judiciary system should be an independent body
free from the political influences of the nation.
 Ensure proper systems of checks and balances – eg.
regular auditing
 Having more than one organization delivering the
service – this may not be cost effective or efficient but
may assist in the reduction of corruption.
 Implementation of performance appraisal.
 Open communication at all levels.
 Reformation of administrative procedures and budget
management – to minimize waste and promote
efficient use of resources.