approaches to governance and development in 21st century

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. INTRODUTION.......................................................................................................3

2. GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT..............................................................4

3. GOVERNANCE......................................................................................................43.1 Understanding Governance................................................................................63.2 Governance and Good Governance....................................................................63.3 Features of Good Governance........................................................................7

4. DEVELOPMENT....................................................................................................7

5. RELATION BETWEEN GOVERNCE AND DEVELOPMENT...........................8

6. THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT..........................................................................96.1 Modernisation Theory........................................................................................9

6.1.1 Classification of Modernisation Theory...............................................106.1.2 Economic Approach.............................................................................106.1.3 Sociological Approach.........................................................................106.1.4 Political Approach................................................................................11

6.2 Psychological Approach...................................................................................116.3 Classical Theory..............................................................................................116.4 Linear Stages Theory.......................................................................................126.5 Structural Change Model.................................................................................12

7.0 APPROACHES TO GOVERNANCE.................................................................12

8.0 THE POLITECHNOCRATS APPROACH.........................................................13

REFERENCES:............................................................................................................15

1. INTRODUTION

This paper is divided into three (3) parts, namely the introduction, the fact

(body) of the assignment and lastly, my submission which forms the

concluding part of the assignment.

This paper highlights a new approach known as Politechnocrats Approach

which emphasised the empowerment of the professionals (technocrats)

working in conjunctions with the politicians for the purpose of good

governance and development to achieve service delivery to the populace.

The origin of the word “governance” was explained with reference to the

history and evolution of governance. Different definitions of governance was

explored with two (2) different diagrams, one illustrating the meaning and

what good governance is all about while the second diagram explain the

features of good governance and the relationship between governance and

development are also discussed.

Different definitions of development and the relationship between governance

and development are discussed. Other areas the assignment covers are the

theories of development while under modernisation theory, political

modernisation development theory was discussed as a relevant theme to the

submission of the fact in the assignment with reference to the adopted

approach (final submission) of the writer in supporting the fact of the

assignment and the new concept, Politechnocrats approach being advocated

for by the writer.

Conclusively, the writer was able to justify what politechnocrts approach is all

about and how all the stake holders; especially the technocrats will function

perfectly in democratic settings. Politechnocrats approach considers both the

strength and weakness of a nation and ascribes roles and the best platform to

both the politicians and the professionals for good governance to take place.

Advice on how the approach can help the government to achieve the

O. D. Ajibogun 424780 2

expected service delivery at home and be respected among the League of

Nations with respect to their economic standards and the nations economy

are also part of this write paper.

2. GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

The adoption of political modernisation and development approach theory is

vital to the practice of Politechnocrats approach (which is a an academic

approach invented by me with regards to this assignment) in general as a

method of governance that promotes rapid development and good

governance especially on the part of the population and the economy as it

emphasised on the need for the progressives (technocrats) to join politics and

be political involved since the Political modernisation theory attributes lack of

enough participation in politics by the technocrats in the political

superstructure as one of the reasons for industrial underdevelopment in the

third world countries.

This approach favours largely the combination of technocrats and politicians

in political partnership to produce good governance and service delivery.

3. GOVERNANCE

Historically, the word governance can be traced back to the Greek verb

‘kubernam’ meaning to plot or to steer and it was used by Pluto with regards

to how to design a system of rule. The Greek term gave rise to the Medieval

Latin ‘gubernare’, which has the same connotation of piloting rule making or

steering. This word is what we now have in English as ‘Governance’

The word governance means different things to many people and arriving at a

common and acceptable meaning is by understanding various definitions from

authors on this subject.

Governance can be defined as ‘The traditions and institutions by which

authority in a country is exercised’-Kaufman et al. To him, governance is

basically a way of exercising authority.


Governance involves many areas of our lives either as a person or

community. “Governance is the exercise of economic, political and

administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels. It

comprises, mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens

and groups articulates their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their

obligations and mediate their differences” (UNDP). From this definition above,

it is clear that governance is the art of running a nation, its people and

resources. Understanding governance requires the identification of both the

rulers and the people they rule as well as the various processes by which they

are selected, defined and linked together and with the society generally

considering their culture. Governance goes beyond the local sector as it exists

all over the world both at the nation and the corporate levels. It is a global

phenomenon with reference to world politics and people centred with service

delivery as focus.

In exploring governance, there are formal and informal actors involved in

decision making and implementation. Government among others, depending

on the level of operation and application are the actors in governance. ‘The

exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a

country’s affairs at all levels. It comprises mechanisms, processes and

institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests,

exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations, and mediate their

differences’-UNDP. From all this we can see that that there many actors in

governance as there are other participants in governance.

Graft, rule of law, and government effectiveness are part of the fundamental

aspects of governance, other dimensions are voice and accountability,

political instability and violence and regulatory burden. – (Kaufman, Kraay and

Zoido-Lobaton 1999). From this we can deduce that governance has to do

with leading people and power


3.1 Understanding Governance

Understanding of GovernanceUnderstanding of Governance

13 May 2009 5Leos Presentation on Governance &

Development

Fig. 1.1 Representation of good governance

(Courtesy: Leo group)

It can also be defined as the way ‘power is exercised through a country’s

economic, political and social institutions.’-the World Bank’s PRSP handbook.

3.2 Governance and Good Governance

It should be pointed out clearly that there are differences between governance

and good governance both in practice and representation, Governance is “the

traditions and intuitions by which authority in a country is exercised,” (Kaufan

et al). Here emphasised is on the authority and ruling the people.

Mechanism for measuring good governance have three key elements: Internal

rules and restraints (e.g. internal accounting and auditing systems,

independence of the judiciary and the central bank, civil service and the

budgeting rules): “Voice” and partnership (e.g. public-private deliberation

councils, and service delivery surveys to solicit client feedback): and

Competition (e.g. competitive social service delivery, private participation in


infrastructure, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and outright

privatisation of certain market-driven activities).- WDR 1997.

Good governance aid development, promote rule of law, encourage

transparency,, be responsive to the needs of the people among other factors

like equity and inclusiveness, accountability and effective service delivery.

Promotion of a capable state where peace and stability are guaranteed,

quantified developments through creation on an enabling political and legal

environment for economic growth that will promote the equitable distribution of

the fruits of the growth, formulates policies and implements them through the

engagement of technocrats to fight poverty, invest in the nation’s development

and promotes education, health and public safety, provide security, promote

governance transparency and accountability. These are the objectives of

Politechnocrats approach.

3.3 Features of Good Governance

FEATURES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

RESPONSIVE

ACCOUNTABILE

Good governance

FOLLOWTHE RULEOF LAW

EQUITABLEAND

INCLUSIVE

TRANSPARENCY

PARTICIPATORY

CONSENSUSORIENTED

EFFECTIVEAND

EFFEICIENT

Fig. 1.2 fruits of good governance.

4. DEVELOPMENT

Arriving at an acceptable definition of ‘Development’ was not an easy task as

development means different thing to many people. Recent United Nations

documents emphasise “human development” measured by life expectancy,

adult literacy, access to all the three levels of education, as well as people’s


average income, which is a necessary condition for their freedom of choice. In

broader sense, the notion of human development incorporates all aspects of

individuals’ well-being, from their health status to their economic and political

freedom. - “Human development is the end-economic growth a means.”

(Human Development Report 1996, published by UNDP).

Development is the growth of humans throughout their lifespan, from

conception till death. Development implies transformation of society at

political, social, economic and legal-levels (Joseph Stiglitz, President of World

Bank). The scientific study of human development seek to understand and

explain how and why people change throughout life including growth,

emotional, perceptual social, and personality development.

Development can be physical and can be measured via a set standard and

practice based on its objectives and the assessment of the government in

power e.g. policy maker may want to find out what the social development

position (as defined by policy makers) of a population in order to inform policy

formulation. Also, government and international communities can assess the

impact of a particular development initiative and therefore want to have

measurements of the program before and after its implementation.

“Development is the process of enlarging people’s choice to live long-healthy

lives, to have access to knowledge, income and assets: enjoy a decent

standard of living” (CIDA 1996). From the on going one can deduce that

development encompasses all the areas of life of a person, family, community

and the nation in general and it has become a yardstick for measuring good

governance

5. RELATION BETWEEN GOVERNCE AND DEVELOPMENT

There are distinct relationships between good governance and development;

both have to do with human race in general.

Good governance reflects in the development of a nation infrastructures and

human capabilities as a sign of development.


Development is the yardstick for measuring good governance in any country

and the progress of their economy.

The latter is the instrument of measurement for the performance of the former,

be it human, economy, infrastructure, education, commerce, employment,

poverty, inequality, health, gender discrimination, youth empowerment,

transparency and accountability among other factors.

Without good governance, development cannot take place.

6. THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT

Theories is an indispensable tools that is use to organise facts. There are

many schools of thoughts that have developed and offer a brief but critical

appraisal of development. The hegemony of these schools changes with time

accordingly as new theoretical discourses are now taking prominence with

emphasis on development theory with international currency undertone and

variation in the theoretical frame works.

There are many theories associated with development but for the purpose of

this paper, four theories will be discussed, namely:

1. Modernisation Theory

2. Classical theories

3. Linear Stage Theory

4. Structural Change Model

6.1 Modernisation Theory

Between 1950s and 60s emphasis was placed on the transfer of significant

amount of aid and provision of extensive technical assistance to the third

world countries accompanied by systematic national planning in conjunction

with bilateral and international agencies (Richard Haines) . Large scale

industrial projects were seen as central components in the promotion of rapid

economic growth, and on development aid and technical assistance in

improving socio economic conditions on a range of fronts. Most modernisation


theory tend to assume that all societies progress in linear fashion from a

traditional state to modernity, with model of development based on historical

processes that have taken place in the industrial world.

6.1.1 Classification of Modernisation Theory

One way of classifying modernisation theories is to distinguish between

economical, sociological, political, and psychological approaches bearing in

mind that though they overlap in terms of concepts and perspectives the later

version of modernisation theory were not as comprehensive, ambitious or

predictive as earlier version.

6.1.2 Economic Approach

The best known modernisation theory and the representative of the economic

approach is the economic historian called (W. W. Rostov). He argued that

economic development involve the passage of a society through five

evolutionary stages. Traditional stage is when society has problems

expanding production significantly. They have simple technology and pre-

Newtonian scientific world view. Stage two is the take off stage, characterised

by the rise and expansion of new industries yielding profits that is reinvested

in new plants and ventures. Third stage is drive to maturity stage, the

economy is now mature and able to broaden its base to include more

sophisticated technology and work processes, and shift well beyond the

original industries that propelled it’s ‘take off’. The last stage is the age of

mass consumption where the advance sectors of the economy are

increasingly dominated by the manufacture of consumer goods and the

provision of service

6.1.3 Sociological Approach

There are two streams of sociological thoughts fitting into modernisation

theory. One incorporate Max Weber’s writing on the relationship between

Protestantism and the development of capitalism, and concentrate on the


cultural and the individual psychological prerequisites of modernisation, while

the other current stem from the thought of Herbert Spenser and Emile

Durkeim which stress social or structural differentiation as the main feature in

social change. Springboard for many modernisation theories (especially for a

non economic variety) by synthesising and simplifying elements of Durkheim

and Weber in his structural functionalist modelling of modern society was

done by Talcott Parsons (1973).

6.1.4 Political Approach

This entails ‘…..the progressive rationalisation and secularisation of authority,

their growing differentiation of a new political functions and specialised

structures, and increased participation in the political process’ (Kamrava

1993:193). Most modernisation stress the inadequacy of political

superstructure and capable leadership as the underlying cause of the third

world industrial ‘backwardness’. This is a relevant approach to the theory of

Politechnocrats approach which is the stand point of this paper.

6.2 Psychological Approach

This approach tends to emphasis internal factors and psychological motives

as the main spring of transition (Larrain 1989), McClelland (1961) identifies

the ‘need for achievement’ – a self conscious desire to do well- as a crucial

factor. He pointed out that by spreading among actual and potential

entrepreneurs in a particular society, this will contribute significantly to

economic development

6.3 Classical Theory

Classical theorist like Adam Smith who propounded the theory of division of

labour as an instrument of trade and production and David Ricardo who

advocated for free trade and also went ahead to develop the theory of

‘Comparative Advantage’ are examples of classical economists. They see the


market as a mechanism for maximizing efficient resources use of human well

being.

6.4 Linear Stages Theory

This theory is identified with economist like Walt Rostov. He emphasised on

economic growth rather than development. He however did make a

remarkable distinction between “more developed” and “less developed”

6.5 Structural Change Model

This model has to do with the ideas of gradual shifts over time along a

particular path as indicated by Todaro (2000). The basic theme of this models

of development was the way in which national economics shifted from rural,

agricultural base to an urban, manufacturing thus seeing development as

largely economic phenomenon as amplified by W. Arthur Lewis.

7.0 APPROACHES TO GOVERNANCE

This has to do with the method of governance adopted for administration of a

state for the purpose of development. These three different approaches are

relevant to this paper, namely

Technocrat / Economic approach which emphasis economic empowerment

development as trademark for development.

Ownership approach which emphasised general involvement of people at all

spheres of governance.

Political approach which advocate for democracy and the fundamental human

rights of all citizens.

The sustainable development literature suggest that development is only

possible if we move beyond a narrow concern with economic development to

‘ensuring that peoples’ basic needs are being met , that the resource base is

conserved, that there is a sustainable population level, that environment and


cross-sectoral concern are integrated into decision making processes, and

that communities are empowered. (Munslow and FitzGerald, 1994) It is based

on this assertion that I now advocate for a new approach, Politechnocrats

Approach.

8.0 THE POLITECHNOCRATS APPROACH

The name Politechnocrats is derives from the combination of representation

and meanings from both the Political approach and the Technocrat/Economic

approach. While the political approach is emphasising development through

democracy and legitimate government through the electorates, the

technocrats/economic approach is basically used by the international donor/

funding community as a corrective policy measure to reverse a bad economy

and to put a nations book keeping in order to enhance development through

economic empowerment. To have a good governance in a state, democracy

must be at work and the nation’s economy must always be at a +surplus.

Political approach is employ when dealing with the people (electorate) while

technocrats/economic approach is to be employ when dealing with the

economy of the nation. This approach is highly recommended when dealing

with both the people’s welfare and the economy of the nation in general

considering their different roles to achieve same objectives of stable nation

building. It is humane, people centred and service delivery focus based on

democracy and people participation in a functional state that is institutionally

strong where public safety will be and the rule of law is the order of the day.

Technocrat’s functions will includes, articulating and implementing

government economic policies and programs since economic achievement is

one of the yard sticks for good governance. Government economic policies

will be professionally administer ranging from sound macro-economics

management, institutional reforms, investment in human resources

development for sustainable poverty reduction with equitable growth through

the building of strong forms of development at all level.


Private sector involvement and participations through the building of an

enabling environment for economic growth, job creation and income through

promotion of political and policy stability inclusive of a fair and consistent

application of the rule of law, equity and all inclusive government.

Inclusion of the technocrats in a democratic set up is to be able to check

wastage spending on the part of the government and out of budget spending.

Also, the approach will ensure that the country does not run into any debt

whatsoever so that we don’t reduce ourselves to the role of a beggar thereby

allowing the donor community to be dictating to us on how to structure out

economic policies.

Conclusively, Politechnocrats Approach is all about the coming together of

both the technocrats and the politicians to promote good governance and

promotes developments in a nation, it promotes the fundamental human rights

of all citizens, participatory democracy, promotes private sector participation,

attack poverty, provides education, jobs, allow rule of law, develop the

economy, provide portable drinking water, promotes gender equality, initiate

and promotes sound international trade policy, create a watch dog body to

check corruptions. The combinations of the politicians and the technocrats in

a democratic settings will promotes efficiency, professionalism, private sector

participation in governance, service delivery and development at all sphere of

the economy.


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