governance for development issues and cocerns

Governance For Development: Issues and concerns

Sanjay Mishra, PhDProfessor of Sociology

Makelle University, Ethiopia Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: materials are heavily borrowed in the presentation , based on the lectures delivered at MCPR, BHU, India

1Governance for development:Issues and concerns

mailto:[email protected]

Why governance is an issue world over for the development?

• Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it… ……Mark Twain

• Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness it is right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government…

……..Thomas Jefferson• "...as we all know, infrastructure is not just a matter of roads,

schools and power grids. It is equally a question of strengthening democratic governance and the rule of law. Without accountability, not only of the government to its people but of the people to each other, there is no hope for a viable democratic State. ."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Remarks to the Security Council on Timor-Leste 19 February 2009


What is governance?• Exercising power and decision-making for a group of people is called

governance.• It happens everywhere – from urban centers to rural villages – and the

well-being of a community depends on the choices made by people granted this authority.

• Because of the diversity of organizational structures around the world, people such as land lords, heads of associations, cooperatives, NGOs, religious leaders, political parties and of course, government are all actors granted the power to govern.

• Maintaining rule of law flawlessly, in which justice, economic, and other growth opportunities are given to all the subjects equally.

• Delivery of services offered by the existing state are provided equally without any delay ,so no one could suffer or put blame on the state are people involved in it.

• In much simpler way- rule of law for all with accountability and responsibility.


Exercising power: Decision making- For a group- with accountability

• During the decade due to rapid economic growth especially after the 1990 exercise of power became an issue in many of the developing countries.

• Media became dominant in every sphere of socio-political life therefore more emphasis on right than duty huge sum of erosion in professional ethics observed in civil as well as government publics.

• Most of the decisions made by government are decided in simulation (Jean Baudrillard) based on hyper reality

• “Good governance” is a relatively new term that is often used to describe the desired objective of a nation-state’s political development.

• The principles of good governance, however, are not new. Good governance is, in short, anti-corruption whereas authority and its institutions are accountable, effective and efficient, participatory, transparent, responsive, consensus-oriented, and equitable. These are the major characteristics of good governance as outlined by the United Nations.


Theoretical approach

• In The Consumer Society, Baudrillard's focused mainly upon consumerism, and how different objects are consumed in different ways.

• For Baudrillard, consumption, rather than production, is the main drive in capitalist society.

• Consumption driven society is highly focused on sources to increase the purchasing power to increase the levels of consumption by hook or crook.

• Increased consumption level is index of economic development , so there is strong competition to increase consumption ignoring human values and professional ethics.

Governance for development:Issues and concerns 5

Importance of governance

• The World Leaders at the 2005 World Summit concluded that good governance is integral to economic growth, the eradication of poverty and hunger, and sustainable development.

• The views of all oppressed groups, including women, youth and the poor, must be heard and considered by governing bodies because they will be the ones most negatively affected if good governance is not achieved.


Contd……….• For good governance to exist in both theory and practice,

citizens must be empowered to participate in meaningful ways in decision-making processes.

• They have a right to information and to access. Although widespread accessibility remains a barrier for many countries, one of those ways is through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications such as the Internet.

• E-governance has emerged as a viable means to address development issues and challenges because citizens find empowerment through access to information.


Governance perspective: R.A.W. Rhodes (1996)

• 1. The minimal state• 2. Corporate governance• 3. New public management• 4. Good governance• 5. Socio-cybernatic systems• 6. Self –organizing network


Kautilya :10 imperatives of good governance (Shamshastry, R. 1929)

• Merge his individuality• Guide administration• Avoid extremes without missing the goal• Lead a disciplined life with a code of conduct• Fixed salaries and allowances• Maintaining law and order• Stress on lekhaks (writers in various administrative works )• Preventive and punitive measures against corrupt officials• Replacement of bad official with good one• Emulate administrative qualities


Some examples of governance

• The UN system promotes good governance through many avenues. The UN Development Programme, for example, actively support national processes of democratic transition. • In the process, it focuses on providing policy advice and technical support and strengthening the capacity of institutions and individuals. •It engages in advocacy and communications, supports public information campaigns, and promotes and brokers dialogue. It also facilitates “knowledge networking” and the sharing of good practices.


The International Monetary Fund• promotes good governance through its programmes

of lending and technical assistance. • Its approach to combating corruption emphasizes

prevention, through measures that strengthen governance.• The IMF encourages member countries to improve

accountability by enhancing transparency in policies, in line with internationally recognized standards and codes.

• In its work with poor countries, the IMF emphasizes adequate systems for tracking public expenditures relating to poverty reduction.

• In its regular consultations with its members, the IMF also provides policy advice on governance-related issues.


The United Nations Democracy Fund

• UNDEF, established in 2005, supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes.

• The bulk of its funds go to local civil society organizations, both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization.

• In these ways, it complements the UN's work with governments to strengthen democratic governance worldwide.


The United Nations Public Administration Network

• UNPAN was created to set up an internet-based network to link regional and national public administration institutions.

• It facilitates the exchange of information and experience, as well as training in the area of public sector policy and management.

• Its long-term goal is to build the capacity of these regional and national institutions, with the aim of improving public administration overall.

• Through such measures as these, the promotion of good governance now runs like a thread through all UN system activities


The role of the state/Government• The post 1991reforms in the forms of structural adjustment

policies focused on the role of the state/ and the government in the development.

• The World Bank document (1997) envisions a more effective government by designing its activities to match its capabilities, and also advocates improving the states capabilities by reinvigorating public institutions. And market has been considered as a more effective institution for allocating the resources.

• Further, the role of the state as a chief in development questioned. And it is considered that market driven approach to development strengthens not only the forces of liberalization and privatization but also provides people chance equally to play role as a champion – seller, buyer and consumer.


World Development Report

• WDR, 1999/2000 advocates the ideology of pragmatism and the complementary roles of the government, market and civil society in development.

• The coordination and overall integration between all these recommended. More market freedom does not mean less government but different government where people are champion in deciding the forces.

• Amartya Sen (Development as Freedom, 2000) stated that “it is not a question of more or less government, but what kind of the government? This leads us to the issue of good governance.


Electronic Governance• Electronic governance is considered as an important tool of

the good governance E governance has opened many avenues to all in various areas. Govt. Of India and many states declared 2001 as the year of E-Governance.

• Similarly the vision 2020 document of Andhra Pradesh Government considers SMART government, which is simple, moral, accountable, responsive and transparent government as good governance.

• The national agenda for governance, the common policy framework of the present ruling coalition considers that a – stable, honest, transparent and efficient government capable of accomplishing all round development is necessary for good governance.


Why EG?• Initial experiences show that EG can make system transparent and

accountable together with quality assurance • Democratic polity- more liberal and lenient• Flexible models of government- which is treating all subjects as equal• Rule of law and independent judiciary• Competitive government- especially in service quality and delivery• Transparent and serving administrative system• Responsive and responsible • Efficiency and efficacy in the persons involved • Organizational plurality at various levels- macro to micro• Decentralization of power• Quality services and performance appraisal• Moral integrity with high professional standards• Capacity building and enhancement opportunities• Maximum choice for people to select from


How does it work ? Governance

• In the community of nations, governance is considered “good” and “democratic” to the degree in which a country’s institutions and processes are transparent.

• Its institutions refer to such bodies as parliament and its various ministries. Its processes include such key activities as elections and legal procedures, which must be seen to be free of corruption and accountable to the people.

• A country’s success in achieving this standard has become a key measure of its credibility and respect in the world.


• Good governance promotes equity, participation, pluralism, transparency, accountability and the rule of law, in a manner that is effective, efficient and enduring.

• In translating these principles into practice, we see the holding of free, fair and frequent elections, representative legislatures that make laws and provide oversight, and an independent judiciary to interpret those laws.

• The greatest threats to good governance come from corruption, violence and poverty, all of which undermine transparency, security, participation and fundamental freedoms.

• Democratic governance advances development, by bringing its energies to bear on such tasks as eradicating poverty, protecting the environment, ensuring gender equality, and providing for sustainable livelihoods. It ensures that civil society plays an active role in setting priorities and making the needs of the most vulnerable people in society known.


• In fact, well-governed countries are less likely to be violent and less likely to be poor. When the alienated are allowed to speak and their human rights are protected, they are less likely to turn to violence as a solution.

• When the poor are given a voice, their governments are more likely to invest in national policies that reduce poverty. In so doing, good governance provides the setting for the equitable distribution of benefits from growth.

• The UN system works closely with governments to achieve these ends. It also works closely civil society, a term which encompasses a wide range of organizations and groups from the private sector having varying interests and objectives, including professional, business, service, religious and recreational bodies.


Problem of Governance is a worldwide phenomenon

• Politics is a strong determining factor in development issues. The 2002 Human Development Report (HDR) was entitled “Deepening Democracy in a Fragmented World”, highlighting the importance of political systems in the developing and developed worlds alike. The second paragraph of the introduction to the 2002 HDR read as follows;

• “Politics matter for human development because people everywhere want to be free to determine their destinies, express their views and participate in the decisions that shape their lives. These capabilities are just as important for human development- for expanding people’s choices- as being able to read or enjoy good health”.


Governance on way in many countries of the world but still many patches

needed:• Despite making progress in the 1980’s and 1990’s in

opening up political systems across the world, with eighty-one countries taking steps in advancing towards democracy, there have been some harsh realities to deal with.

• Even though 140 out of some 200 countries now hold regular multiparty elections, it would be incorrect to class them all as democratic. Some countries have reversed or relapsed into authoritarian or simply collapsed as failed states. In some countries where democracy has been firmly established, citizens feel powerless to influence national politics.


Majority of people are not satisfied with the governance world over:

• National governments are more subjected to international forces which they have little influence in or on.

• In 1999, the Gallup International’s (an international think-tank) Millennium Survey asked 500,000 people in sixty countries if their country was governed by the will of the people.

• With less than a third of answers being yes, many citizens of the world find that their political systems are not representative of the needs and wishes of the people. Only one in ten people asked in the Gallup International Survey said that their government responded to the people’s will.


Only half of the world’s population living in fully democratic system:

• The 2002 HDR highlighted many issues that are still true in 2007, the halfway point of the Millennium Development Goals. The world has never before seen the extent of levels of democracy, integration of national economies and technological advances, all of which point towards greater human freedom and improvements in people’s lives.

• Yet despite this, freedom, personal and social developments seem to be under ever increasing threats. And despite impressive figures of 140 out of 200 nations holding multi-party elections, only eighty (roughly fifty-five per cent of the world’s population) are fully democratic. 106 countries in 2002 were still limiting civil and political freedoms.


In a more interdependent world• Politics and political institutions are even more central to

human development than ever before. • Conferences take place across the world discussing the

relationship between institutions of governance and development.

• These issues and discussions are vitally important for development. When institutions and governments fail, it is the society’s poorest and most vulnerable that suffer.

• Just as development requires more than an increase in incomes, governance requires more than just having effective public institutions; it also needs fair and accountable institutions that protect human rights and basic freedoms.


Evidencs• United Nations evidence shows that a virtuous cycle

for human development requires the promotion of democratic politics at the onset. Many topics in the world of development are interrelated, and the issue of governance is one of these.

• An example of this is the promotion of democracy, which entails several efforts including spreading education (so as people play an effective role in politics) as well as fostering the development of Civil Society Organizations and other informal institutions that assist formal institutions in representing the people.


Global context • Global interdependence also calls for more

participation and accountability in global decision making, another reason why governance is such an important issue when considering development.

• Globalization now also affects the world of global decision making and democratic ideals have taken on a global perspective as international rules and actors now affect developing and developed nations as much as their own national governments.


Lesson from the past

• One lesson to be learned since the end of the Cold War is that newly created national political institutions are often not developed enough to be able to keep up with the governance challenges of the modern, interdependent and globalized world.

• New democracies often struggle to lay down the foundations of democratic governance and institutions that govern people’s lives. New conflicts are tearing these insecure states apart. The result of this can be seen in the number of failed states that exist across the developing world.


Situation• The countries of the world face several

challenges on the road to development. Many of these can be met in a united front; problems such as terrorism and the drug trade are examples of this.

• They show the importance of popular democratic governance on both national and international levels. The need to act is clear.

• However, action in the fields of advancing democracy, development and expanding human freedoms around the world is still missing in many areas across the globe.


Human development approach

• The Human Development Index (HDI) is an index combining measures of life expectancy, literacy, educational attainment, and GDP per capita for countries worldwide.

• Developed in 1990, this composite index introduced a new way of measuring development.

• The HDI approach arose partly as a result of growing criticism of the development approach of the 1980s, which presumed a close correlation between national economic growth and the expansion of individual human choices.

• According to the UNDP, the need for an alternative development model came about for several reasons including:


Relationship between spread economic benefits and poverty

• Growing evidence that did not support the then prevailing belief in the “trickle down” power of market forces to spread economic benefits and end poverty.

• The human costs of Structural Adjustment Programmes became more apparent.

• Problems either stagnant or continued : Social ills (crime, weakening of social fabric, HIV/AIDS, pollution, etc.) were still spreading even in cases of strong and consistent economic growth.

• A wave of democratization in the early 90’s raised hopes for people-centered models.


New approach

• Therefore a new theoretical framework for examining development was to be introduced as part of the broader human development approach.

• This approach is defined as the process of enlarging people’s choices and enhancing human capabilities and freedoms, enabling them to live a long and healthy life, have access to knowledge and a decent standard of living, and participate in the life of their community and decisions affecting their lives.

• It was from this approach that the HDI emerged as a convenient, single figure, statistical measure of human

development.32Governance for development:Issues and

concerns

Philosophy behind HDI • Inspired by the work of Amartya Sen, the Nobel Laureate in

Economics and Professor of Economics at Harvard University. Although Sen, amongst others, has argued that index is a somewhat crude measure of human development, he argues that it is less crude than a simple, single indicator, measure such as GDP or GNP.

• However, it should be noted that due to the extreme complexity of the human experience, no single figure could ever represent the true conditions that people face in their lives.

• According to Sen, although the HDI has its flaws, it is concerned with the “basic development idea: namely, advancing the richness of human life, rather than the richness of the economy in which human beings live, which is only a part of it [the human experience]." 33

Governance for development :Issues and concerns

Human Development Reports

• The Human Development Report (HDR) is an independent report.

• It is commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is the product of a selected team of leading scholars, development practitioners and members of the Human Development Report Office of UNDP.


Goal

• The report was first launched in 1990 with the goal of putting people at the centre of the development process rather than markets and other economic processes.

• The goal was to go beyond income in assessing the level of people’s long-term well-being. The UNDP believe that such an approach is an effort to bring about development of the people, by the people, and for the people, and emphasizing that the goals of development are choices and freedoms, not simply economic growth.

• The philosophy behind this approach was to highlight that it is not the level of income that matters when examining development, but the use and freedom to use that income to live the lives people value.


Role of HDR

• Each year the HDR examines a topic relating to human development.

• The Reports present data and analysis and calls international attention to issues and policy options that put people at the centre of strategies to meet the challenges of development.

• Topics in previous years include climate change (2007/2008), water scarcity (2006), cultural liberty (2004), the Millennium Development Goals (2003) and human rights (2000).

• The HDI forms an important part of the annual reports. As well as examining a highly topical theme in the current development debate the report contains a set of world rankings of the HDI.


Contd…..

• The report ranks 177 countries and divides them into high, medium and low human development groups.

• A country’s rank indicates its human development status in a given year, and a change in rank from year to year indicates the progress (or otherwise) that country is making in relation to all others.

• Inge Kaul (Director, HDR 1990 - 1994) believes that the publication of the HDI within the HDR has helped to develop political competition.

• Just as competition in economic markets is good for efficiency, so too is political competition between countries when the goal is increased human development.


Summary• Governance is a big issue all over world.• In least developed countries governance is

more complicated and highly complex with opportunities based on compound discriminations.

• It seems there is a straight link between governance and poverty and other adverse socio-economic situations.

• Good governance means equal opportunity to all and system runs fast and works for all without any onstruction. 38Governance for development:Issues and

oncerns

Contd….

• Experiences show that participation of civil society (NGOs, CBOs) in governance also does not produce expected result, for example Indian government experimented and ensured civil society involvement through NGOs, PDS, bids, tenders and auctions.

• The root cause may be related to economic insecurity, consumerism, increased individualism, fragmentation of people based on interests, value for material than human, and ignoring professional ethics.

Governance for development:Issues and concerns 39

governance for development issues and cocerns

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