short essay on good governance

Good Governance: Definitions, 8 Characteristics, And Importance

Good governance refers to mobilizing the people of a country in the best direction possible. It requires the unity of people in society and motivates them to attain political objectivity. In other words; It ensures proper utilization of all the resources of the state for its citizens which ensures sustainable development.

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Table of Contents

Definitions of Good Governance

According to the world bank (1992), “Good governance is central to creating and sustaining an environment which fosters strong and equitable development and it is an essential complement to sound economic policies”.

According to UNDP, “ Good Governance is, among other things, participatory, transparent, and accountable. It is also effective and equitable. And it promotes the rule of law. Good governance ensures that political, social, and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision making over the allocation of development resources ”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has defined the concept “ as a broad concept covering all aspects of how a country is governed, including its economic policies, regulatory framework, and adherence to the rule of law ”.

The IMF very much emphasized promoting the concept of mainly two areas:

The management of public resources through reforms covering public sector institutions and
The development and maintenance of a transparent and stable economic and regulatory environment conducive to private sector activities.

Mohit Bhattacharya (2013) has discussed the recent developments of good governance in three ways:

It is an attempt to widen the scope of public administration by going beyond the formal government.
It is an externally dictated term invented to prescribe aid conditionality.
It is a more genuinely democratic intensifying concept- to make public administration more open, transparent, and accountable.

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He has also opined that good governance needs to be discussed beyond the World Bank and other funding agencies have been representing this. “ A more creative approach would be to treat the issues as new opportunities to have a fresh look at state-civil society relationships in today’s complex world of governance ”.

8 Major Characteristics of Good Governance

Governance needs some parameters to make it good. From the above definitions, it can be said that good governance has some Characteristics or indicators for the establishment of sound economic management and ensuring the relationship between the state and civil society. From the study of World Bank documents and several studies, there are 8 major characteristics of good governance . These are mentioned below-

Participation
Rule of Law
Transparency
Responsiveness
Consensus Oriented
Equity and Inclusiveness
Effectiveness and Efficiency
Accountability

1. Participation

The participation of citizens in the process of governance is the key characteristic of good governance. Participation is an important step for mobilizing people to participate in the decision-making process. It can be direct or indirect but Participation needs to be informed and organized. The aims and objectives of the political rights would be fulfilled by the greater participation of the people in the society. The legal framework represents the rule of law which ensures impartiality in terms of participation in the decision-making process of governance.

2. Rule of Law

Another important characteristic of good governance is the rule of law. It needs a fair legal framework to establish the rule of law in society. Rule of law ensures impartiality which helps to protect human rights, particularly who is most marginal in society. The Independent judiciary system, its impartial nature, and the incorruptible police force are the key element to ensure the rule of law.

3. Transparency

Governance needs transparency for the fair delivery of services to the citizens. It ensures a balance between policymaking and its enforcement following proper rules and regulations. It enables the citizen to access governmental information regarding various policies and their implementation freely. Proper media should be established for an easy understanding of this information.

4. Responsiveness

Responsiveness has a basic necessity of the administration which can motivate the interrelationships between administration and people. It requires sufficient services to the people within a specific time.

5. Consensus Oriented

Governance depends on the consensus of people in society to make it good. It could fulfill the interest of the people as well as the community. It helped to achieve the long-term perspective of human development. And it originated from the social culture and institutional behaviors of the particular society.

6. Equity and Inclusiveness

An equitable just society must be established for ensuring good governance. Society’s well-being depends on how its members feel about it. It requires all its members to feel that they have a stake in it and they are not excluded from the mainstream in the governance.

7. Effectiveness and Efficiency:

Effectiveness and efficiency ensure the outcomes of the institutions to meet the needs of society. Proper utilization of society’s resources for the establishment of sustainable development is the key to good governance. It also ensures the sustainable use of natural resources for the protection of the environment.

8. Accountability

Accountability is one of the most important characteristics of good governance . Good governance depends on how accountable Governmental, as well as private sectors and civil society organizations, are to their people and their institutional stakeholders. Without transparency and the rule of law, accountability cannot be established.

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Importance of Good Governance

The importance of good governance in a state is immense. Sustainable development is not possible without good governance.

Economic Development

Without good governance in a state, the economic development of that state is not stable. All elements of economic development, such as production, distribution, investment, and even consumption, face various obstacles. If good governance is established, such obstacles will be removed and the fair distribution of state resources will be possible.

Social Development

Good governance is essential for social development. The role of it does not end only with economic development. The result of development ensures that every class of people in society enjoys the basis of fairness. People of different religions, castes, and classes live in a society. Now, if there is no fair distribution of wealth among all these people, social discontent will increase.

Again, the proper distribution of wealth is not enough. We have to make arrangements so that minority people can walk without fear. In the same way, various reform laws have to be enacted to reduce the gap between men and women in society.

Political Development

Its relationship with political development is quite important. If the political leaders of a country are not active in establishing good governance, then its establishment in that country is not possible. Its success depends largely on the sincerity of the political leadership and adherence to the rules and regulations of the political establishment.

The constructive cooperation between the political institutions and the political parties and the formulation of programs for the welfare of the people play an important role in establishing good competition and good governance among themselves. For example, in a democracy, mutual cooperation between the government and the opposition helps to establish it in the country.

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In conclusion, good governance is the proper management of the state, society, and resources. It seeks to protect the interests of people from all classes. It emphasizes public sector management, the legal framework for development, accountability, transparency, and the free flow of information.

When good governance is established in a state, people can easily guess it by some of its characteristics. Then characteristics of good governance like Participation, Rule of Law, Transparency, Responsiveness, Consensus Oriented, Equity and Inclusiveness, Effectiveness and Efficiency, and Accountability can be easily noticed.

There is good governance for political, economic, and social development. Good governance and development complement each other. It protects the social, economic, and political rights of citizens irrespective of race, religion, caste, or gender. As a result, a country’s development index tends to go up.

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Bhattacharya, M. (2013). New Horizons of Public Administration . New Delhi: Jawahar Publishers.
Mangla, S. (2015). Citizenship and Governance. New Delhi: Kaveri Books.
Narzary, M. (2015). Concept of Good Governance. In S. Mangla (Ed), Citizenship and Governance (pp. 17-45). New Delhi: Kaveri Books.
Singh and Sachdeva. (2012). Public Administration: Theory and Practice , Noida: Pearson Publication.

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8 thoughts on “Good Governance: Definitions, 8 Characteristics, And Importance”

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Good governance should be the way of life in all organizations and mandatory institutionalized it

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Essay on Good Governance And Social Responsibility

Students are often asked to write an essay on Good Governance And Social Responsibility in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Good Governance And Social Responsibility

What is good governance.

Good governance means that the people who run our towns, cities, and countries do their jobs well. They must be fair, open about what they do, and listen to what people need. When leaders make wise decisions, everyone benefits. They should use money carefully, make rules that are good for all, and ensure that no one is left out.

Understanding Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is about caring for others and our planet. It means businesses and people should act in ways that are good for society and not harm the environment. For example, companies should reduce pollution and help communities. Everyone has a part to play in making the world better.

Why They Matter Together

Good governance and social responsibility are important together because they make sure that our leaders and businesses work for the good of all people. When they pay attention to these ideas, they help create a fair world with opportunities for everyone. This leads to happier, healthier communities.

250 Words Essay on Good Governance And Social Responsibility

Good governance means making sure that the people who run our towns, cities, and countries do their jobs well. It’s like when your class leader makes sure everyone gets a turn to speak and follows the rules. Leaders should be honest, make fair decisions, and listen to what people need. They should not use their power just to help themselves or their friends.

Why is Social Responsibility Important?

Social responsibility is when people and companies think about how their actions affect others and the world. Imagine if you saw someone being bullied and you decided to help. That’s being socially responsible. Companies can do this too, by doing things like not polluting the air or helping people in need.

Good Governance Helps Everyone

When leaders govern well, it’s like having a good referee in a sports game. The game is fair, and everyone has a chance to play and win. This means that in a country, good schools, hospitals, and roads are built, and everyone has an equal chance to live a good life.

Working Together

Good governance and social responsibility are like a team sport. Leaders, companies, and regular people need to work together. When everyone plays their part, communities become better places to live. Leaders should make sure that the rules are fair and that they care about the future, and everyone else should help by following the rules and caring for others.

In summary, good governance and social responsibility mean that leaders must be fair and care for their people, and everyone should act in ways that help others and the planet. When this happens, our world can be a happier and safer place for all.

500 Words Essay on Good Governance And Social Responsibility

Good governance is like a rule book for leaders and officials that tells them how to make decisions and manage things in a way that is fair, clear, and helpful for everyone. It’s not just about making rules; it’s also about making sure that these rules work well and that people in charge are honest, listen to what others have to say, and do their jobs properly. Good governance is important because it makes sure that the people who lead us do so in a way that is good for all of us, not just for themselves or a few people.

Being Responsible to Society

Social responsibility is when people and organizations act in a way that is good for society. It means thinking about how your actions might affect other people and the world around you. For example, a company that makes sure its products do not harm the environment is being socially responsible. This is important because it helps make the world a better place for everyone.

Leaders Must Show the Way

Leaders have a special role in making sure that good governance and social responsibility work together. They should set an example by being honest, treating everyone fairly, and making sure that their actions help the community. When leaders do this, they show others how to behave and help build trust in the government or organization they are leading.

Rules and Laws

For good governance to work, there must be clear rules and laws that everyone understands and follows. These rules should be made in a way that includes everyone’s ideas and needs. When rules are fair and everyone knows what they are, it is easier for people to do the right thing and for leaders to manage things in a good way.

Listening to People

Good governance also means that leaders need to listen to what people have to say. This includes not just listening to the voices of adults but also paying attention to what children and young people think. When leaders listen, they can make better decisions that help everyone.

Doing Good for Everyone

Social responsibility is not just for leaders; it’s for everyone. This means that each person, including students like you, can do things that are good for other people and the environment. This could be something small, like helping a friend, or something bigger, like volunteering in your community.

Good governance and social responsibility are like two sides of the same coin. They both help to make sure that our leaders do a good job and that we all work together to make the world a better place. When we have good governance, our leaders are fair and honest, and when we are socially responsible, we all do our part to help others and take care of our planet. This is important for making sure that everyone, now and in the future, can have a good life.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Essay on Good Governance

January 28, 2018 by Editorial Staff

Background: In the last decade, development literature increasingly emphasized the role played by good governance in maximizing the effectiveness of the development dollar and in achieving sustainable development. What is governance? The term ‘governance’ is used to describe the way in which a country is governed. It covers the range of political, economic and administrative decisions made by the government, business and civil society sectors as they manage a country’s resources and affairs.

What is good governance?

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) define good governance as:

‘Good governance has eight major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule 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 society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.’

Democracy and good governance: Many countries and international organizations regard democracy as being the most effective and fairest system of government. In a democracy, bad government can be voted out, which provides governments with an incentive to implement policies that will be good for the whole country and not just a favored minority. An effective democracy has good institutions and active and informed citizens able to exercise their political and civil rights and to push for reforms which otherwise may not take place. Yet some characteristics of a democracy can impede good governance. Governments may sacrifice sound policy for popularity in the polls and short time frames make it difficult to implement long-term plans.

Human rights and good governance

There are close links between good governance and human rights:

The ‘characteristics of good governance guarantee civil, political, social and economic rights. Citizens are able to freely express views and influence the government for change without the fear of being arrested, tortured or discriminated against. Citizens are legally protected in relation to their property, personal security, and liberty. Adequate provision of basic needs, education and health services and pay enables people to fully participate in the community and decreases corruption.

Corruption and good governance: Corruption, the abuse of one’s official position for personal gain, is the extreme opposite of good governance. It is a major problem in many countries and is increasingly recognized as the greatest obstacle to achieving sustainable development. It has political, social, economic and environmental costs. Corruption undermines citizens’ trust in public institutions and offices of government, eroding the values of democracy. It increases costs for companies to do business, and decreases the tax revenues available to governments to provide public facilities such as schools, roads, and hospitals. Although the kinds of practices that are considered corrupt differ among cultures, all cultures do have a framework of acceptable behavior.

Fighting corruption requires strong political will, an active civil society, a free press and freedom of information legislation coupled with a strong, clean judicial system. It takes time to change behaviors and attitudes as well as resources for people in official positions not to be tempted to engage in corrupt practices.

The global agenda: The critical importance of democratic governance in the developing world was highlighted at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000, where the world’s leaders resolved to ‘spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development’. A consensus was reached which recognized that improving the quality of democratic institutions and processes, and managing the changing roles of the state and civil society in an increasingly globalized world, must underpin national efforts to reduce poverty, sustain the environment and promote human development.

Governance and Anti-Corruption (World Bank): The World Bank’s governance program supports countries in improving governance and controlling corruption. Programs take a strategic and integrative multi-disciplinary approach by: going beyond public sector dysfunction (the ‘symptom’) to assist countries in integrating institutional, regulatory and economic reforms (the ‘fundamentals’); implementing rigorous empirical diagnostics and analysis, bringing about collective action, through participation and broad-based bottom-up coalitions, building partnerships within countries and other international or regional institutions; moving beyond conventional training to knowledge dissemination, policy advice based on the latest research and operational findings, and participatory and consensus-building activities; and scaling up the impact of activities, utilizing new tools for knowledge dissemination, innovating, and taking managed risks.