Nature and Scope of Global Trends in Service Excellence

Trends in Political Governance

The Perspective and Global challenges of Good Governance
Definition of Good Governance

 “The traditions and institutions by which authority in a country is exercised” – Kaufman

et al
 The way “ … power is exercised through a country’s economic, political, and social
institutions.” – the World Bank’s PRSP Handbook.
 “The sound exercise of political, economic, and administrative authority to manage a
country’s resources for development. It involves the institutionalization of a system
through which citizens, institutions, organizations, and groups in a society articulate their
interests, exercise their rights, and mediate their differences in pursuit of the collective
good. “(Country Governance Assessment 2005).
 "promoting fairness, transparency and accountability" – World Bank
 "a system by which business organizations are directed and controlled".- OECD
 “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s social and
economic resources for development. It is referred to as the quality of the institutions to
make, implement and enforce sound policies in an efficient, effective, equitable and
inclusive manner. - The Asian Development Bank (ADB)
 In broad terms, governance is about the institutional environment in which citizens
interact among themselves and with government agencies/officials. - (ADB, 2005).

Good Governance as a Concept

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. Accountability is a key
requirement of good governance. - United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific

The process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not
implemented). Governance can be used in several contexts such as corporate governance,
international governance, national governance and local governance.

Good Governance as a Challenge

(8) Eight Elements/Pillars of Good Governance

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. Good governance is responsive to the present and future needs of the organization, exercise
prudence in policy-setting and decision making, and that the best interests of all stakeholders are
taken into account.
1. Rule of Law – Good governance requires fair legal frame works that are enforced by an
impartial regulatory body, for the full protection of stakeholders.
2. Responsibility and Accountability – Accountability is a key tent of good governance. Who is
accountable for what should be documented in policy statements. In general, an organization is
accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions as well as the applicable
rules of the law.
3. Relevance and Responsiveness – Good governance requires that organization and their
processes redesigned to serve the best interests of stakeholders within a reasonable time frame.
4. Equity and Inclusiveness – The organization that provides the opportunity for its
stakeholders to maintain, enhance, or generally improve their well-being provides the most
compelling message regarding its reason for existence and value to society.
5. Efficiency and Effectiveness – Good governance means that the processes implemented by
the organization to produce favorable results meet the needs of its stakeholders, while making
the best use of resources-human, technological, financial, natural and environmental at its
disposal.
6. Transparency and Integrity – Transparency means that information should be provided in
easily understandable forms and media ; that it should be freely available and directly accessible
to those who will be affected by governance policies and practices and practices, as well as the
outcomes resulting there from; and that any decisions taken and their enforcement are in
compliance with established rules and regulations.
7. Consensus Oriented – Good governance requires consultation to understand the different
interest of stakeholders in order to reach a broad consensus of what is in the best interest of the
entire stakeholder group and how this can be achieved in a sustainable and prudent manner.
8. Participation/Participatory – Participation by both men and women, either directly or
through legitimate representatives, is a key cornerstone of good governance. Participation needs
to be informed and organized, including freedom of expression and assiduous concern for the
best interests of the organization and society in general.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Good Governance

Challenges

Profile of the ASEAN in terms of Good Governance

ASEAN is a regional grouping of 10 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. At first glance, it
might seem like a group of still-developing countries, but, as a whole, ASEAN is a powerhouse.
If it were a country, ASEAN would be the world’s fifth-largest economy.

Political Governance and Challenges

The ASEAN Declaration of 1967 stresses that the economic, social and cultural aims and
purposes of the Association are to be attained through “joint endeavors,” “active collaboration
and mutual assistance”, “assistance to each other”, and enjoins the Member Countries “to
collaborate more effectively.” But when it comes to the statement of its lone political objective
of regional peace and stability, there is no equivalent exhortation for collaboration. It speaks only
of “respect for justice and the rule of law” and “adherence to the principles of the United Nations
Charter.” There is no impassioned call to undertake common political positions.

“The truth is that politics attended ASEAN at its birth. It was the convergence in political
outlook among the five original Members, their shared convictions on national priority
objectives and on how best to secure these objectives in the evolving strategic environment of
East Asia, which impelled them to form ASEAN.” - Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas

Philosophy and Principles

In their relations with one another, the ASEAN Member States have adopted the following
fundamental principles, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
(TAC) of 1976:
1. Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and
national identity of all nations;
2. The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference,
subversion or coercion;
3. Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
4. Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
5. Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and
6. Effective cooperation among themselves.

Management of Natural Resources, Social and Basic Services

ASEAN region is endowed with rich natural resources. Water, food, and energy, Gas, Iron and
steel are playing an important role in sustaining wide range of economy and development
activities. ASEAN have great opportunities to setup business and in cash agriculture, and
fisheries based products production and sales. ASEAN has become emerging players in the
global economy.

Implications and Impact

ASEAN’s transformation to a global player
As of 2021, ASEAN consists of 10 member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The goal is of the
organization is to promote intergovernmental cooperation and while promoting the overall
economic, political, military and cultural objectives of each members state. With a massive labor
force and growing financial clout, ASEAN also maintains a global network of alliances and hosts
diplomatic missions throughout the world.

References :

https://www.governancetoday.com/GT/Old_Website/
The_Foundations_and_7_Pillars_of_Good_Governance.aspx?WebsiteKey=0cf4306a-f91b-45d7-
9ced-a97b5d6f6966
https://article1000.com/challenges-good-governance/
https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Module_I.pdf
https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/good-governance.pdf
https://article1000.com/challenges-good-governance/
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/26/asean-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-globally-important-
group.html
https://news.iu.edu/stories/features/thailand/why-asean-matters.html
https://asean.org/?static_post=political-achievement