Practice modes
Languages & Literature
Pakistan
World & History
Origin and definitions of governance and good governance, its eight characteristics, and the collapse or failure of governance.
5 of 5 i. basic concepts of governance
From steering a ship to steering a society
The word governance comes from the Greek 'kybernan' and Latin 'gubernare', meaning to steer. It became a central idea in development and public administration after the World Bank used it in 1989 to explain Africa's development crisis.
What major institutions and scholars mean by governance
Governance is the manner in which power and authority are exercised in managing a country's economic, social and political affairs, including the processes by which governments are chosen, held accountable and replaced, their capacity to make and implement policy, and the respect of citizens and the state for institutions.
Governance that is participatory, accountable and effective
Good governance is governance that is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and follows the rule of law, so that corruption is minimized, minorities' views are considered, and the voices of the most vulnerable are heard.
Participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, equity, effectiveness, accountability, strategic vision
The characteristics of good governance described in the CSS syllabus are participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, equity, effectiveness and efficiency, accountability and strategic vision. Each reinforces the others.
Indicators, diagnostic tools and effects
Governance fails when state institutions can no longer provide security, justice, basic services and legitimate authority. The signs, measured by tools such as the Fragile States Index and the World Bank's governance indicators, include corruption, violence, economic decline and loss of public trust.