Governance :Concepts & Contents

Keshav Raj Pande

Ass. Prof.
Meaning
 Governance concerns mostly the rules
of the game of political rule, and it is a
conscious management of regime
structures with a view to enhancing the
legitimacy of the public realm (Goran
Hyden, 1992).
 State and public administration are
regarded as the basic actors and
arenas of governance.
 Conception of Governance
There are three conceptions of governance are:
 Governance is simply a surrogate word for public
administration and policy implementation.
 Governance equates to the managerialist or NPM movement.
 Governance is a body of theory that comprehends lateral
relations, inter-institutional relations, the decline of
sovereignty, the diminishing importance of jurisdictional
borders, and a general institutional fragmentation (Gerry
Stoker, 1998).
 Conceptions…
1. Governance is a conceptual approach that frames a
comparative analysis of macro-politics.
2. Governance concerns big questions of a ‘constitutional’
nature that establish the rules of political conduct,
3. Governance involves creative intervention of political actors
to change structures,
4. Governance emphasizes interaction between state and
social actors, and among social actors themselves, and
5. Governance refers to a particular type of relationships
among political actors; that is, those which are socially
sanctioned rather than arbitrary (Goran Hyden, 1992).
Proposition of Governance
 Five propositions are:
 Governance refers to a set of institutions and actors that are
drawn from but also beyond government;
 Governance identifies blurring of boundaries and
responsibilities for tackling social and economic issues;
 Governance identifies the power dependence involve in the
relationship between institutions involve in collective actions;
 Governance is about autonomous self-governing network of
actors;
 Governance recognizes the capacity to get things done
which does not rest to the power of government to command
or use its authority. It sees government as able to use new
tools and techniques to steer and guide.
 Major features of four models
of governance
Parameters Market Participative Flexible Deregulated
Government Government Government Government

Principal Monopoly Hierarchy Permanence Internal regulation

diagnosis

Structure Decentralization Flatter Virtual organizations No particular

organizations recommendations

Management Pay for TQM teams Managing Greater managerial

performance; other temporary freedom
private techniques personnel
Policy-making Internal markets; Consultation; Experimentation Entrepreneurial
market incentives negotiation government

Public interest Low cost Involvement; Low cost; Creativity; activism

consultation coordination
Shifts in the use of the
governance concept
1990s 2000s 2010s
Agenda setters Academics Donors Citizen Activities
Main approach Analytical Programmatic Empowering
Position adopted Detached Managerial Engaged
Principal aim Generating Reforming Checking power
knowledge use

Goran Hyden,
2011
 Public Sector Governance
Core functions of Public business Public service
the state functions functions
(Public Administration) (Public Companies)
(Service Providers)

Rule of law, economy, Profitability Value for money

efficiency, effectiveness, Good service
transparency

Public management Public corporate Service management

governance
Meaning of Good governance
Good governance is a process,
where rules and well-functioning
institutions are applied to manage
nation's affairs in a manner that
safeguards democracy, human
rights, good order and human
security, and economy and
efficiency are followed in
management of country’s resources
(World Bank, 1990).
 Elements of Good
Governance
 Participation
 Rule of law
 Transparency
 Responsiveness
 Equity
 Effectiveness and efficiency
 Accountability
 Predictability
 Aims of good governance
Good governance aims at the following:
 Enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of administration

 Improving the quality of life of citizens

 Establishing the legitimacy and credibility of institutions

 Securing the freedom of information and expression

 Ensuring accountability

 Using IT-based services to improve citizen-government

interface
 Improving or enhancing the productivity of employees

 Promoting organizational pluralism-state, market and civil

society organizations for governance

 Characteristics of Good Governance
 The World Bank states six main characteristics as
following:
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 judiciary
6. Curbs on corruption
 Elements of Good
Governance
A Consensus Accountable
Oriented

Participatory Transparent

Good Governance
The rule of law
Responsive

Effective and
Efficient Equitable &
Inclusive