Information of the Chapter:

Chapters Name: The Normative Roots of Governance Theories: Prospects and Challenges from
Bangladesh Perspective
Authors Name: Sk. Tawfique M. Haque
Number of Pages:20
Main Objective of this Chapter: To elaborate the normative roots of governance theories and
relate those in the context of Bangladesh.
Keywords: Governance, Democracy, Development, UNDP, Participation, Transparency, World
Bank, Civil Society, Bangladesh, Governance Theories.

This chapter deals with Ensuring ‘goodness’ in the governance and raising its level-intensity and
coverage wise-has been an aspiration of the people of the society. It has been an eternal challenge
to rulers since the very beginning of ‘stat’ irrespective of its nature, structure and form, Governance
is not a finished product but a dynamic concept. It encompasses fast changing political, social and
economic environment, along with exogenous factors including international environment and
conditions of operational governance. Similarly, even at the macro level, this concept has multiple
theories to conceptualize the nation.
The development of governance theories starts with the observation that governance has been used
in a variety of ways in the political science and public administration literature. According to Pierre
and peters(2000), the concept of governance ‘is notoriously slippery' and Schneider
(2004)comments that the conceptual vagueness of the term is the ‘secret of its success'.
The major objective of this chapter is to elaborate the normative roots of governance theories and
relate those in the concept of Bangladesh. It is important to discuss about the normative roots of
theories form two grounds. The importance of understanding governance theories relies on the
increasing complexity of the relationships among different actors involved in governance the state,
civil society and private sector. Generally we may identify two major paradigm and the academic
paradigm.

The Academic Perspective of Governance

The theoretical discussion on governance from the academic perspective has a long history. To
explain improved forms and functions of the government according to their contexts.

1|Page
The Western Model of Governance
This section describes some important Western theories of governance from ancient Greek to the
present era.
Classical Democracy: Model of Athens
Etymologically, governance can be traced back to the Greek verb kubernan and was used by Plato
with regard to how to design a system of rule.
Protective Democracy
The historical changes affected greatly the mediaeval notions of politics in Europe. The struggle
between church and state all played a part.
Developmental Democracy
The model of protective democracy stands in contrast to an alternative position: a position which
is concerned for the conditions of individuals moral and social development.
Direct Democracy
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels relentlessly challenged the idea of a ‘neutral’ liberal state ‘free’
market economy. Freedom entails, in Marx’s view, the complete democratization of society as
well as the state; it can only be established with the destruction of social classes and ultimately the
abolition of class power in all its forms.
1.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. The development of democracy in Athens has formed a central source of inspiration
for modern political thought 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 thinkers of classical democracy, liberty and equality, according to Aristotle, are very much
linked. There are two criteria of liberty:

A. ruling and being ruled in turn

B. living as one chooses

2.Protective Democracy: The historical changes affected greatly the medieval notions of politics
in Europe. Struggles between monarchs and barons, peasant rebellions; the consolidation of
national monarchies; the struggle between church and state-all played a part. ( Held,1998:39)
Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) is treated as one of the pioneer theorists of this new era of political
thought. These developments introduced a new model of democracy which is referred as protective
democracy.

2|Page
3.Development Democracy: The model of protective democracy stands in contrast to an
alternative position; a position which is concerned for the conditions of individuals moral and
social development. After reducing the important of old political and religious traditions, the
concerns for citizens involvement in government became influential. In this context, the idea of
‘developmental democracy ‘emerged which emphasized the role of democratic institutions for the
formation of an active, involved citizenry.
4. Karl Marx (1818-1883) and Friedrich Engels(1820-95) relentlessly challenged the idea of a
‘neutral ‘liberal state and ‘free’ market economy. Un an industrial capitalist world the state could
never be neutral or the economy free. John Stuart Mill's liberal democratic state might claim to be
acting on behalf of all citizens.
UNDP’s Model of Good Governance
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has been at the forefront of the growing
international consensus that good governance and sustainable development are indivisible. UNDP
is also stressing that developing the capacity for good governance can be and should be the primary
way to eliminate poverty.
UNDP’s view on governance and good governance
UNDP takes a broads view of governance. Governance is defined as the exercise of political,
economic and administrative authority to manage a nation’s affairs. Three types of governance are
identified, which, to varying degrees, are all subject to the influence of civil society and the private
sector.
Economic governance includes decision – making processes that affect a country’s economic
activates and its relationship with other economies. It clearly has major implications for equity,
poverty and quality of life.
Political governance is the process of decision making to formulate policy.
Administrative governance is the system of policy implementation. Encompassing all three, good
governance defines the processes and structures that guide political and social economic
relationships.

Characteristics of Good Governance

In a policy document of UNDP, the following characteristics of good governance are identified:
1. Participation
2. Rule of law
3. Transparency
4. Responsive
5. Consensus Orientation
3|Page
 6. Equity
7. Effectiveness and efficiency
8. Accountability

Shift from Good governance to Democratic governance

In 1990s UNDP report developed a policy agenda for humane governance dedicated to securing
human development along three lines:
First, structures and processes that support the creation of a participatory, responsive and
accountable polity
Second, a competitive, non-discriminatory and equitable economy
Third, a society in which people are given the ability to self-organize

Democratic Governance
1. Human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected.
2. People have a say in decision that affect their lives.
3. People can hold decision -makers accountable.
4. Inclusive and fair rules.
5.Women are equal partners with men in public spheres of life and decision making.
6. People are free from discrimination.
7. The needs of future generation.
8. Economic and social policies are responsive.
9. Economic and social policy 's aim at eradicating Poverty.

Governance Theories: Experience of Bangladesh

The long historical account of Bangladesh shows some real conflicting characteristics between
theory and practice. Conflicting situation between the theory and practice always prevailed in the
politics and governance of a country like Bangladesh.
Democratic governance, which alone can safeguard the constitutional rights and interests of the
common citizens and ensure better performance of the state functionaries, is still missing.

4|Page
Accountability of the parliament to the people and that of the executive to the parliament could
not yet be institutionalized. Evident lack of institutional capacity and other maladies continue to
impede social and economic development, and peaceful democratic process. Weak performance
of state institutions resulting in failure, to reform state structures, make progressive policy
decisions, create an enabling environment and provide leadership of different levels of government
and society meant that people’s desire for democratic governance is far from being fulfilled. Lack
of adequate accountability and transparency resulting in widespread corrupt practices and
deteriorating law and order situation have become endemic features of political, social and
administrative culture, dampening the development spirit. The maladies thwart justice and
fairness, restrict outreach and quality of public service delivery and inhibit vibrancy of market
forces. Therefore, despite remarkable progress in some areas, there is still a long way to go before
the desired momentum in economic growth, poverty reduction, and improvement in quality of life
and overall social development is created to realize national aspirations and global commitment
like millennium development goals. The problem of leadership in governance looms large in every
sector. A substantial gap exists in the nation’s ability to generate sound understanding of the
situation, to identify problems and constraints and implement better policymaking, managerial and
leadership practices and to measure progress towards good governance
It has experienced average 5.5-6% GDP growth for almost last two decades. A vibrant private
sector and foreign remittance of migrant laborers have played a vital role in economic
development. World Bank calls this as Bangladesh Conundrum. However, there are indicators that
such growth and progress cannot be sustained unless governance and institutional reforms are
carried out an urgent basis.

5|Page