Governance is a system by which entities are directed and controlled.
According to World Bank: “The manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development.”
Here are eight basic Principles of Good Governance:
- Accountable
- Transparent
- Responsive
- Equitable and Inclusive
- Effective and Efficient
- Follows the Rule of Law
- Participatory
- Consensus Oriented
Note:
Efficiency: a right way to complete a task within minimum time, money and effort. (focus on process)
Effectiveness: doing the thing right. (focus on end result)Challenges to Good Governance:
- Criminalization of Politics
- Corruption
- Gender Inequality
- Terrorism (violence)
- Delay in Justice
- Incompetent Bureaucracy
- Clash of Institutions
- Inter-Provincial Disharmony
- Sectarianism
- Feudalism
- Incomplete Devolution
- Centralization
- Marginalization of socially and economically backward people
Civil Society is a voluntary organization outside the family, business and government, created on the basis of common interests to serve as a bridge between government and society.
Civil Society is backbone of democracy. It secures the democratic values by informing citizens about their rights and the laws in the constitution. These organizations teach civic virtues, civic knowledge and civic education. Encourage citizenry to participate in decision making process and participate in state affairs. Civil society checks and controls the actions of governments against people interests. Major areas of good governance are democracy, rule of law, proprietary rights, corporate governance, human rights, welfare state and labor institution. And in all these areas, civil society performs her role efficiently. Above all, civil society is backbone to democracy and a developed democracy is backbone to good governance.