Principles and Characteristics of Good Governance

Principles and Characteristics of reliable presidencyIntroductionIn general, well politics is perceived as a normative principle of administrative law, which obliges the State to perform its functions in a manner that promotes the values of efficiency, no corruptibility, and responsiveness to civil alliance. It is because a principle that is largely associated with statecraft. While the government is not obliged to substantively deliver any macrocosm goodlys, it must(prenominal) ensure that the processes for the identification and delivery of such goods are concrete in borders of i) existence responsive to public demands ii) existence transparent in the allocation of resources and iii) being candid in the dispersion of goods. The principle of good governance has as well been espoused in the context of the interior operations of private area organizations. In this way, corporate decision- do strategies integrate the principle of good governance and ensure that shareh older involvements (i.e. public restrict companies) and employees are interpreted into account.The legal meaning of the principle of good governanceThe concept of good governance as developed by the World Bank is essentially a touchstone upon which the prevailing administrative structure of a given coun adjudicate can be measured. Consequently, it provides ample evidence of the robustness of the structural suitability of donors as efficient vehicles of multilateral aid investment to developing countries. Good governance is thusly chiefly envisaged as a set of procedural tools to guarantee the efficacious improvement of the donor determine subject. Politically, however, the principle of good governance has not been very well received. For instance, governments may be reluctant to be held accountable to donor agencies, and they may sometimes display widespread hostility against such agencies (or other bodies) that is construed to be interfering in their (sovereign) domestic affair s. The real or imagined fears suck in stemmed mainly from the fact that the term good governance has largely been identified with liberalism and laissez-faire policies common in most developed countries. Further, the recitation of the term good derives primarily from subjective interpretations especially in the context of large multicultural and divers(prenominal) economies that characterize the developing world.The characteristics of good governanceGood governance has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the find oneself of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in partnership are heard in decision-making. It is to a fault responsive to the present and future needs of society.1. enfoldingParticipation by both men and women is a key cornerstone of good gov ernance. Participation could be either direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or legates. It is important to point out that representative democracy does not necessarily mean that the concerns of the most vulnerable in society would be taken into consideration in decision making. Participation needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of connectedness and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.2. overlook of lawGood governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full tax shelter of human rights, particularly those of minorities. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force.3. hydrofoilTransparency means that decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations. It also means that info is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by su ch decisions and their enforcement. It also means that enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily understandable forms and media.4. ResponsivenessGood governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.5. Consensus orientedThere are several actors and as many view points in a given society. Good governance requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. It also requires a broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable human development and how to achieve the goals of such development. This can only result from an taste of the historical, cultural and social contexts of a given society or community.6. Equity and inclusivenessA societys well being depends on ensuring that all its members savour that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, unless particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being.7. metier and efficiencyGood governance means that processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.8. AccountabilityAccountability is a key requirement of good governance. Not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public and to their institutional stakeholders. Who is accountable to whom varies depending on whether decisions or actions taken are internal or external to an organization or institution. In general an organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions. Acco untability cannot be enforced without enhancer and the rule of law.How to achieve good governanceGood governance, to be effective and sustainable, must be anchored in a vigorous working democracy which respects the rule of law, a free press, energetic civil society organizations and effective and independent public bodies such as the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, Prevention of decomposition Bureau and the Fair Trade Commission. The Commission is important in ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights, but also in ensuring both transparence and accountability on the part of the government. Good governance requires transparency and efficiency also in different government agencies.At the political level democratic practices, including transparency in policy making and administration, are important aspects of good governance. This is signified by a pluralistic political remains that allows the existence of diversity in political and ideological opinions. No wonder that good governance is said to be more easily achieved and guaranteed in a multi-party system than in a mono-party system. It also means the holding of regular elections applying the principle of universal franchise. In order to qualify as democratic, elections must be free and fair.Good governance deals with the nature and limits of state power. The doctrine of the separation of powers is thereof relevant in the establishment of whether or not a country has a political system that is responsive to good governance. The doctrine of the separation of powers is based on the acceptance that there are common chord main categories of government functions legislative, executive, and judicial. Corresponding to these are the three main organs of government in a state the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The doctrine insists that these three powers and functions of government in a free democracy must be kept separate and exercised by separate organs of the state.Co nclusionFrom the above discussion it should be clear that good governance is an ideal which is difficult to achieve in its totality. Very few countries and societies have come close to achieving good governance in its totality. However, to ensure sustainable human development, actions must be taken to work towards this ideal with the aim of making it a reality.ReferencesMacdonald, B. (1998), Good governance and Pacific island states, in Larmour, P. (Ed.), Governance and Reform in the South Pacific, National Centre for Development Studies Australian National University, Canberra, pp. 21-53.Woods, N. (1999) Good Governance in International Organizations, Global Governance 5, 39-61.Burnell, Peter. Good Government and Democratization A crabwise Look at Aid and Political Conditionality, Democratization, vol.1, no.3, pp.485-503.