Introduction
Over the past decade, the concept of good governance and political development has dominated development literature. This is due to the correlation between good governance and development. For instance, a number of countries that have attained economic and political development attribute their success to good governance. On the other hand, bad governance has contributed to lack of development in the third world countries.
Countries experiencing bad governance often lag behind in terms of respect for human rights, democratic elections and citizen participation. A number of international organisations have therefore continued to advocate for good governance and political development.
For example, World Bank believes that “sustainable development can only take place if a predictable and transparent framework of rules and institutions exists for the conduct of private and public business” (International Fund for Agricultural Development 4-5). Both concepts are, however, still contentious among various development agencies and practitioners. This paper examines the relationship between good governance and political development.
Definition of Governance
Governance has multiple definitions. For instance, “governance is the process by which authority is conferred on rulers in order to make, modify, and enforce rules within their jurisdictions” (Sheng 7-8). A clear understanding of governance therefore requires the recognition of various processes that influence the appointment and election of rulers.
It also requires understanding about the process of law making in a country (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development 27). Additionally, governance can be defined as “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development” (International Fund for Agricultural Development 2-3). This therefore means that governance consists of all institutions, activities and procedures used by government agencies for effective administration.
The process of governance involves various actors who influence the actions undertaken by a government (Edwards 18). Actors in governance can be formal or informal (Sheng 5-7). For instance, governments often undertake major roles in the governance process. Governments perform a number of functions such as law making, implementation of laws as well as maintenance of the rule of law (Sheng 7). Other actors in the governance process include cooperative societies, trade unions, religious institutions and associations.
In certain instances, informal actors can, however, influence the process of governance (International Fund for Agricultural Development 13-14). For instance, in some countries, illegal gangs and influential groups have impacted the process of decision-making as well as resource allocation.
Good Governance
Good governance remains an elusive concept. The term has varied definitions that differ among various development agencies and governance practitioners. Good governance has been defined as “a process that encompasses the role of public authorities in establishing the environment in which economic operators function and determine the distribution of benefits” (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development 9-10).
Furthermore, good governance refers to “predictable, open, and enlightened policy making process” (United Nations Development Programme 20-23). Good governance is characterised by the following factors.
First, good governance promotes participation. A good governance system provides for the participation of citizens and various groups in the society. Individuals can participate, directly or indirectly, in the governance process (Sheng 10). Direct participation can effectively take place at the lower levels of administration. On the other hand, indirect participation occurs through representatives. Citizens often elect representatives through democratic elections. Leaders or rulers can also appoint representatives.
Their major role is to represent various groups in the decision-making process. Representatives may, however, at times fail to voice the needs of the people whom they represent. Thus, participation should be well-organised and structured in a manner that allows people to articulate their interests and exercise their rights (International Fund for Agricultural Development 12). This implies that governments should promote freedom of expression and association. It should also create room for the activities of the civil society.
Additionally, government structures should be flexible enough to allow room for participation. For example, a government should adopt flexible development programmes and projects (Edwards 44-45). Consequently, this can enable a government to re-structure a development project in order to serve the needs of the beneficiaries. This can also enable a country to attain its development goals. A number of countries that promote citizen participation in the governance process have also realised significant growth in their economies.
Second, it is based on the rule of law. Good governance is often characterised by legal systems that promote justice (Turner). This implies “an independent judicial system capable of enforcing laws impartially” (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development 21). It also entails respect and protection of human rights. A country with a good governance system always ensures that human rights are protected and respected.
This also involves promotion of media freedom as well as supporting activities of the non-state actors (Edwards 27-28). Additionally, the rule of law in a country can only be attained through an incorruptible police force (Turner). In most countries, the police are the law enforcers. A police force that is free from corruption can therefore help to curb the violation of human rights.
It also ensures effective implementation of laws that govern a country. Consequently, this has a positive influence on the governance process. Additionally, an effective police force also helps to increase the confidence of citizens in their governments.
Third, it is characterised by transparency. Transparency in governance “means that decisions are made and enforced according to a country’s rules and regulations” (Turner). Transparency also implies that citizens within a country can easily access information about any decision that has a direct impact on their well-being. Furthermore, information should be provided in a manner that can be easily understood by the public.
Thus, a government should ensure that it avails to the public simpler versions of key government documents such as the constitution. Similarly, a government should ensure timely and accurate information about economic growth and security. This can promote development in the private sector. For instance, timely economic information can enable investors to make appropriate investment decisions. Consequently, this will result into profit maximisation and increased revenue to the government.
Fourth, it requires a high level of responsiveness. Responsiveness means that institutional structures and processes can enable people to access services within a reasonable timeframe (Sheng 24). It also implies that all actors in the governance process can access any government service at any time within the official working hours. Thus, government offices should adopt prompt strategies for service delivery. Consequently, a number of people can receive various services from government offices.
Good governance also entails elements of effectiveness and efficiency. A good governance system should ensure that decisions, projects, institutions and processes are relevant to the needs of the society (United Nations Development Programme 34). Thus, any action taken should aim at satisfying the needs of the society. Furthermore, efficient institutions and processes should characterise good governance. Efficiency implies that resources are used optimally without wastage. It also involves “the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as, environmental conservation” (Sheng 26).
Another characteristic of good governance is accountability. Governments should always be accountable to their citizens at all times. For instance, government officers should have clear records of activities and resource allocation within their dockets. Thus, the performance of public sector institutions should be evaluated periodically in order to enhance their accountability. Similarly, “elected individuals and organizations charged with a public mandate should be accountable to the public” (Turner).
Other non-state actors, such as the private sector and non-governmental organisations, should also be accountable to citizens (Sheng 16). This is crucial because the activities of the private sector and civil society often have a direct impact on the well-being of the public. Generally, “organizations or individuals are often accountable to the people affected by their decisions or actions” (Sheng 17).
Finally, good governance requires consensus. Building consensus in governance is important because of the several stakeholders involved in the process. The governance process should therefore “mediate differing interests in order to reach broad consensus on the best interests of a group” (Gisselquist).
Those involved in the governance process should have clear understanding about the historical, social, cultural and political background of various communities. This can facilitate the process of decision-making. Additionally, such information can enable decision-makers to take actions that can easily be accepted by the majority.
Political Development
Political development also has varied definitions. For instance, political development has been defined as “the capacity of a political system to satisfy the challenging needs of members of a society” (Chilton). These include the basic human needs such as food, shelter and clothing. It also entails other human wants. These needs, however, tend to differ from one country to another.
Thus, political institutions have the responsibility of forming effective regimes, promoting political integration, managing conflicts and expanding available resources (Chilton). Political development also refers to “growth that occurs in politics” (Chilton).
According to this definition, growth means any significant progress on how legitimate power is exercised as well as how conflicts are managed. Political development also refers to the progress made by countries towards governments that are liberal, democratic, accountable and which provide opportunities for participation (Chauffour).
There are various indicators of political development. For example, political development is equated to democracy. According to this view, political development means establishing democratic institutions and processes (Chauffour). A country is therefore considered politically developed if it promotes democracy. This is usually determined by free and fair elections, freedom of expression and association. Political development is also perceived as the process of state-building.
This means that a country should establish public institutions with necessary resources required for state-building (Chauffour). It also entails promotion of nationalism. Another indicator of political development is political stability. Politically stable countries are considered to be politically developed. The level of political development in a country can therefore be gauged by its ability to refrain from conflicts and ethnic tensions. Furthermore, purposeful and orderly change also determines the level of political development in a country.
Good Governance and Political Development in Developing and Developed Countries
Good governance and political development are closely related. A good governance system is characterised by accountability, transparency, responsiveness and other factors. On the other hand, political development implies positive progress in a country’s politics. From the analysis of the two concepts, it is clear that the attainment of good governance has a direct positive influence on the political development of a country.
For example, in the United States of America, good governance has been a key factor to the realisation of political, social and economic development. Various regimes in the United States of America have often promoted democracy, accountability, participation and transparency. Consequently, the country has managed to maintain political stability for a long period. This has also promoted meaningful and orderly change. Other developed countries have also promoted good governance systems in both the private and public sectors.
Consequently, these countries have managed to attain a high level of economic, social and political development. Good governance, however, remains to be a multifaceted ideal (Najem and Hetherington 7). Therefore, even the developed countries have not fully attained all the elements that characterise good governance. This means that the developed countries are also going through a process of political development.
Conversely, third world countries have failed to attain their development goals owing to bad governance. A number of developing countries are currently facing several developmental traps perpetuated by bad governance.
For instance, several governments in developing countries are characterised by corruption, lack of transparency and accountability as well as political instability (United Nations Development Programme 1-3). These factors have, in turn, inhibited political growth. Due to political instability, some developing countries have failed to attain meaningful progress in nation-building.
Despite these challenges, some progress has been realised in a few developing countries. The progress has mainly resulted from the pressure exerted by various international actors on the regimes of developing countries (Najem and Hetherington 9).
For instance, major international donor agencies have put in place a set of prerequisites for developing countries in order to access funding. Most donors have put emphasis on “reforms such as debt reduction, privatization of public sector institutions, and reduction of public expenditure” (Najem and Hetherington 8). Thus, some of these reforms have positively influenced governance in the developing countries.
Additionally, a good number of developing countries have also made progress in relation to protection of human rights. Some developing countries have adopted constitutions that protect various human rights, such as freedom of movement, association and the right to life. Similarly, developing countries have continually embraced democratic systems and institutions (International Fund for Agricultural Development 45-46).
Nevertheless, the progress made in relation to democracy tends to differ from one country to another. Some developing countries have managed to commit to relatively free and fair elections. On the other hand, some have continued to function under autocratic regimes.
According to some political analysts, “the prime motivation for democratic reforms in developing countries is mainly based on the advantages that accrue due to the implementation of the reforms” (Najem and Hetherington 10). This therefore implies that governments in developing countries are still reluctant about the adoption of good governance reforms.
International trade has also influenced the adoption and implementation of good governance reforms necessary for political development. For instance, good governance reforms are a precondition for international trade. The major champions of these reforms include key trading entities, such as the European Union and the World Trade Organization (Najem and Hetherington 10). Consequently, a number of developing countries have had to embrace good governance reforms in order to participate in international trade.
Nevertheless, the developed countries have been criticised for setting double standards in relation to good governance reforms. For instance, some of the developed countries have in some instances overlooked elements of bad governance. This has been prevalent in situations where they stand a chance to reap more gains.
For example, a country, such as China, has often been exempted from such reforms despite its questionable governance record. Nevertheless, “the linkage of trade integration with good governance has produced a significant reform orientation in most developing countries” (Najem and Hetherington 8-10). Consequently, good governance reforms have facilitated political development in the developing countries.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is evident that both good governance and political development are key factors that determine development in a country. Good governance is characterised by transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency. On the other hand, indicators such as democracy, political stability and nation-building, determine the level of political development in a country (Joffé 68). As a result, international agencies have continued to champion for reforms that promote good governance and political development.
Good governance and political development are ideals. The two concepts are therefore difficult to achieve due to a number of challenges. Nonetheless, progress in political development and good governance practices have been realized in various countries across the globe. Thus, both developing and developed countries should continue to promote the ideals of good governance.
Works Cited
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