Table of Contents
The main characteristics of good governance today and examples have been clearly defined by the World Bank. According to trusted sources for democracy and human rights. The term good governance has been coined from key features in public administration, which include the following examples of good governance. The term “Good Governance” was derived from democratic Government systems and is in line with the provisions of democracy.
10 Examples Of Good Governance
To achieve good governance, policies should be in line with the will of the people, there should be public involvement in decision making processes among other phenomena that we will interact with in this article as examples of good governance attributes and features of good governance include.
Characteristics of good governance with examples
1. Participation
Every citizen should be afforded a voice in decision-making processes of a nation. This can be done either (in very few cases) directly or through legitimate intermediate institutions that represent their interests. These institutions can be inform of wards led by elected Councilors, constituents led by elected legislators and other organizations whose aim are facilitating communication between government and the people using characteristics of good governance.
Democratic governments get their power from the people and their portion is a representation of the people’s will in passing decisions. Such broad participation is built on freedom of association and speech, as well as capacities to participate constructively.
2. Rule of law
This has been a contested topic in almost all democracies where certain social classes of seem immune to certain pieces of legislation. For there to be good governance worth mentioning legal frameworks should be fair and enforced impartially. Particular attention is then paid to laws on human rights. These are basic provisions agreed upon by all nations who are signatories to the bill of rights. If a piece of legislation violates any of these rights it needs to be repealed, although some governments have held on to some oppressive laws.
3. Transparency
Information and transparency can never be separated, for the latter is built on free flow of the former. The media acts as a communication tool between government, public servants and the general public. This calls for a press that is not heavily regulated and operates freely promoting democracy and good governance. Processes, institutions and information should be made directly accessible to those concerned with them, and characteristics of good governance ensure enough information is provided to understand and monitor them. To achieve transparency, officials should be prepared to answer each and every discrepancy that needs clarity for the public.
4. Responsiveness
Institutions and processes under a typical good government respond to the needs and try to serve all stakeholders. Countries are made up of states and usually different ethnic groups and response to public calls by all government institutions should be free of bias along ethnic lines. Response is sensitive to matters to do with fairness and maintenance of peace.
5. Consensus orientation
It is a public secret that alternative views exist everywhere, even among people of the same group (for example the same political party). This means for governments it is even more important to stay woke and approach alternative views critically. “Good governance mediates differing interests to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interests of the group and, where possible, on policies and procedures.”
6. Equity
The most important goal of any government is the wellness of its people. Equal opportunities to improve or maintain well-being should be availed to every individual. This has to be done with no discrimination of any sort. Lately emphasis has been put by governments and lobby groups on gender equity. However, people living with disabilities are usually left out sometimes inadvertently.
7. Effectiveness and efficiency
Making the best use of resources while meeting needs of the people is what we call efficiency and effectiveness. Prior to their election, politicians make promises including management of resources because that is where the eyes and hearts of the people are. Good governance simply actions these promises into life after election.
8. Accountability
Accountability means decision-makers in government, despite using their discretion on some decisions, are still answerable to those who elected them into power. The private sector and civil society organizations are also accountable to the public, as well as to institutional stakeholders. Characteristics of good governance include accountability, which differs depending on the organizations and whether the decision is internal or external to an organization. The idea of accountability serves as a reminder that no politician or public administrator has absolute power to do as they please.
9. Strategic vision
Every individual has goals that they wish to accomplish. The same applies with societies. Every country hopes to reach certain heights as far as development is concerned, but for that to happen development oriented strategies should be put in place. In good governance, leaders and the public have a broad and long-term perspective on good governance and human development, along with a sense of what is needed for such development. This should be a shared perspective. There is also an understanding of the historical, cultural and social complexities in which that perspective is grounded.
10. Inclusivity
The biggest mistake any government can make is perceiving oppositions and opposing views as enemies. Good governance emphasizes on inclusivity outside political lines or any other differences for that matter.