Good governance is the process of measuring how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption and with due regard for the rule of law. Governance is "the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented)". Governance in this context can apply to corporate, international, national, or local governance as well as the interactions between other sectors of society.
41-784: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association ( CPA ), previously known as the Empire Parliamentary Association , is an organisation which works to support good governance , democracy and human rights . In 1989 the patron of the CPA was the Head of the Commonwealth , Queen Elizabeth II . The vice-patronship rotates amongst Heads of State and of Government of the Commonwealth nations who host its forthcoming annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The Association's supreme authority
82-635: A 2011 literature review analyzing the link between democracy and development by Alina Rocha Menocal of the Overseas Development Institute stresses the inconclusiveness of evidence on this relationship. A good example of this close association, for some actors, between western democratic governance and the concept of good governance is the following statement made by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Nigeria on August 12, 2009: Again, to refer to President Obama's speech, what Africa needs
123-562: A deep understanding of a country's power structure and "moral economy", says Meg Rithmire. Her book Precarious Ties: Business and the State in Authoritarian Asia explores the delicate relationship between capitalists and autocrats in the region. According to Bo Rothstein and Jan Teorell, the key characteristic of good governance is the impartiality of government institutions. In corporate affairs, good governance can be observed in any of
164-473: A result, it has been pointed out that anti-corruption efforts and government reforms can have very negative consequences in especially fragile countries there can be significantly bigger barriers to economic growth than corruption or institutional quality, and anti-corruption efforts and governance reforms often fail because of a suboptimal understanding of local socio-political contexts. Various authors have furthermore argued that "good governance" provides
205-535: A very unhelpful development agenda as it is unclear what the "right" kind of institutions are or how they should be realized even if we were to accept that they are necessary or helpful. Alix Boyd Knights Alix Boyd Knights (died 29 August 2023) was a Dominican politician and attorney who was the Speaker of the House of Assembly from 2000 to 2020. Boyd Knights was first elected Speaker on 17 April 2000 and
246-816: Is Joy Burch , MLA, Speaker of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly . Previous CPA Small Branches Chairpersons include Niki Rattle , Speaker of the Parliament of the Cook Islands and Hon. Angelo Farrugia , Speaker of the Parliament of Malta . Since August 2022, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) is Hon. Laura Kanushu MP from the Parliament of Uganda . Previous CPwD Chairpersons include Hon. Dennitah Ghati HSC from
287-759: Is The Parliamentarian , the Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments which was first published in January 1920. The organisation administers the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), a network across the Commonwealth which promotes greater representation for women in Parliament; the CPA Small Branches network, representing parliaments and legislatures with populations below 500,000 people; the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network; and
328-620: Is a broad term, and in that regards, it is difficult to find a unique definition. According to Fukuyama (2013), the ability of the state and the independence of the bureaucracy are the two factors that determine whether governance is excellent or terrible. They also complement one another in that more autonomy should be allowed when the state is more capable, such as through tax collection, since bureaucrats can carry out their duties well without much guidance. However, less latitude and greater regulation are preferable in states with lower levels of capability. A further perspective on effective governance
369-503: Is a direct impact of good governance on poverty reduction. Some studies find that good governance above a certain level contributes positively to poverty reduction. Others still find a relationship between governance and poverty even controlling for economic growth, indicating an independent association. According to Sam Agere, "The discretionary space left by the lack of a clear well-defined scope for what governance encompasses allows users to choose and set their own parameters." In
410-640: Is based in London . The CPA was founded as the Empire Parliamentary Association in 1911, with its first branches being Australia, Canada, Newfoundland , New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom, the latter branch administering the Association as a whole. In 1948 the Association changed its name to the current Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and invited all branches to participate in
451-570: Is based on results. There is no better way to think about good governance than through deliverables, which are precisely the ones demanded by citizens, like security, health , education, water , contract enforcement, property protection , environmental protection , and the right to vote and fair wages. This is because governments operate with the intention of providing public goods to their constituents. Similarly, good governance might be approximated with provision of public services in an efficient manner, higher participation given to certain groups in
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#1732859460260492-478: Is caused by the ineffective governance of the economy, either too much regulation or too little regulation. To receive loans from the IMF, countries must have certain good governance policies, as determined by the IMF, in place. The World Bank introduced the concept in its 1992 report entitled "Governance and Development". According to the document, good governance is an essential complement to sound economic policies and
533-459: Is central to creating and sustaining an environment which fosters strong and equitable development . For the World Bank, good governance consists of the following components: capacity and efficiency in public sector management, accountability , legal framework for development, and information and transparency. The Worldwide Governance Indicators is a program funded by the World Bank to measure
574-557: Is normally exercised on their behalf by an Administrator . Good governance The concept of "good governance" thus emerges as a model to compare ineffective economies or political bodies with viable economies and political bodies. The concept centers on the responsibility of governments and governing bodies to meet the needs of the masses as opposed to select groups in society. Because countries often described as "most successful" are liberal-democratic states, concentrated in Europe and
615-431: Is not more strong men, it needs more strong democratic institutions that will stand the test of time. (Applause.) Without good governance, no amount of oil or no amount of aid, no amount of effort can guarantee Nigeria's success. But with good governance, nothing can stop Nigeria. It's the same message that I have carried in all of my meetings, including my meeting this afternoon with your president. The United States supports
656-625: Is something development supporters consider supporting. Major donors and international financial institutions, like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Bank, are basing their aid and loans on the condition that the recipient undertakes reforms ensuring good governance. Several bilateral donors, such as the US Government's Millennium Challenge Corporation require countries to meet certain standards of good governance prior to receiving assistance. These conditions are due to
697-616: Is the General Assembly , constituted by delegates to the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The business and activities of the CPA are managed by an Executive Committee, which reports to the General Assembly. The CPA's funds are derived from membership fees paid by its branches , as well as from two trust funds and benefactors. The official publication of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
738-480: The Commonwealth Youth Parliament , an annual gathering of young people hosted by a Commonwealth Parliament. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) currently has approximately 180 branches and is divided into nine regions: Africa, Asia, Australia, British Islands and Mediterranean, Canada, Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic, India, Pacific, and South-East Asia . The CPA Headquarters Secretariat
779-723: The International Development Select Committee , Minister for Schools and a range of Shadow Front Bench roles. Previous Secretaries-General have been: Karimulla Akbar Khan, UK/Guyanese Lawyer (2016-2019); William F. Shija , former Minister Tanzania Parliament (2007–2014); Denis Marshall , former Minister New Zealand Parliament (2002–2006); Arthur Donahoe , former Speaker Nova Scotia House of Assembly (1993–2001); David Tonkin , former Premier South Australia (1986–1992); Sir Robin Vandervelt from South Africa (1961–1985); Sir Howard d’Egville (1949–1960). Members of
820-708: The National Assembly (Kenya) and Hon. Kevin Murphy (Canadian politician) , former Speaker of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia . The CPA's 8th Secretary-General is Stephen Twigg . He was appointed in August 2020 for a four-year term. Twigg was elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom as a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2005 ( Enfield Southgate ) and from 2010 to 2019 ( Liverpool West Derby ). During his parliamentary career, he held several senior positions including chairing
861-407: The National Assembly of Pakistan ; Hon. Noraini Ahmad MP, Parliament of Malaysia ; Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga MP, Parliament of Uganda ; Hon. Alix Boyd Knights , House of Assembly of Dominica ; Ms Kashmala Tariq , National Assembly of Pakistan ; Hon. Lindiwe Maseko , Parliament of South Africa and Gauteng Provincial Legislature . Since August 2022, the Chairperson for the CPA Small Branches
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#1732859460260902-613: The UK Parliament . The position of CPA Vice-Chairperson is currently held by Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu , MP, Majority Leader and Member of the Parliament of Ghana . Since August 2022, the CPA Treasurer is Anurag Sharma (politician) , MP of the Parliament of India . Since August 2022, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians is Hon. Dr Zainab Gimba , MP from the House of Representatives (Nigeria) . Previous CWP Chairpersons include: Shandana Gulzar Khan , MNA from
943-542: The "right" kind of institutions; in contrast, countries like China and South Korea have been plagued by corruption and a lack of checks-and-balances during their development trajectories. Or as the development economist Dani Rodrik put it: "A development strategy that focused on anti-corruption in China would not have produced anything like the growth rate that this country has experienced since 1978, nor would it have resulted in 400 million plus fewer people in extreme poverty." As
984-529: The Americas, good governance standards often measure other state institutions against these states. Aid organizations and the authorities of developed countries often will focus the meaning of "good governance" to a set of requirements that conform to the organization's agenda, making "good governance" imply many different things in many different contexts. Good governance in the New Yorkish context of countries
1025-618: The CPA are listed below. Both national and subnational parliaments are included. "Bailiwick-wide" legislation passed in the States of Guernsey applies not only in Guernsey , but also in Alderney and Sark , with the consent of their governments. Although Island Councils for Ascension and Tristan da Cunha exist, they are purely consultative. Legislation is enacted by the Governor , although this power
1066-448: The author relates good governance to the concept of impartiality, which is basically when the bureaucrats perform their tasks following the public interest rather than their self-interest. Lawson differs with him in that this impartial application of law ignores important factors like the economic liberalism, which matters due to its relation with economic growth. The efficiency of one-party governments might seem appealing, but leaders need
1107-400: The book Contesting 'good' governance , Eva Poluha and Mona Rosendahl contest standards that are common to western democracy as measures of "goodness" in government. By applying political anthropological methods, they conclude that while governments believe they apply concepts of good governance while making decisions, cultural differences can cause conflict with the heterogeneous standards of
1148-594: The close link between poor governance and corruption, the connection between good governance and aid effectiveness, and the relationship between good governance and poverty reduction. Because concepts such as civil society , decentralisation , peaceful conflict management and accountability are often used when defining the concept of good governance, the definition of good governance promotes many ideas that closely align with effective democratic governance . Not surprisingly, emphasis on good governance can sometimes be equated with promoting democratic government. However,
1189-424: The effect it has on governance. The idea of various perspectives is presented throughout the article. This allows the reader to be able to see what contemporary governance is like from different viewpoints. Crozier's motive was to also create an open mindset when referring to how governance and policy within society operate, especially with the constant changes occurring day to day. Recent criticism has been aimed at
1230-598: The following relationships: The meaning of good governance in regards to corporate sectors varies between actors. Legislation has been enacted in an attempt to influence good governance in corporate affairs. In the United States, the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 set up requirements for businesses to follow. Whistleblowing has also been widely used by corporations to expose corruption and fraudulent activity. Three institutions can be reformed to promote good governance:
1271-413: The idea that good governance and institutions are one of the primary explanatory variables of economic growth, such as argued by Kaufmann and Kraay and Acemoglu and Robinson, which has put institutional reforms high on global development agendas. The criticism is fundamentally concerned with the issue that the relatively few countries which have managed to develop rapidly over the last 70 years did not have
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1312-401: The international community. An additional source of good governance criticism is The Intelligent Person's Guide to Good Governance , written by Surendra Munshi. Munshi's work was created in order to "revive" good governance. Many individuals tend to either wave away and be bored with the idea of governance, or not have a clue to what it has at all. This book is a generalized discussion on what
1353-464: The international community. The United Nations (UN) is playing an increasing role in good governance. According to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan , "Good governance is ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law; strengthening democracy; promoting transparency and capacity in public administration." To implement this, the UN follows eight principles: The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
1394-696: The organisation's administration. The office of Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee is held by Ian Liddell-Grainger MP of the Parliament of the United Kingdom since August 2022. He was previously Acting Chairperson from April 2021. Previous CPA Chairpersons have included: Emilia Monjowa Lifaka MP, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon (2017-2021); Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury , Speaker of Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban of Bangladesh (2014–2017), who succeeded Sir Alan Haselhurst MP (2011–2014), formerly Chairman of Ways and Means of
1435-524: The population like the poor and the minorities, the guarantee that citizens have the opportunity of checks and balances on the government, the establishment and enforcement of norms for the protection of the citizens and their property and the existence of independent judiciary systems. Lawson (2011) in his review of Rothstein's book The Quality of Government: Corruption, Social Trust, and Inequality in International Perspective mentions that
1476-546: The purpose of good governance is and how it serves that purpose throughout our society. Munshi targets the book toward anyone doing research or just simply "those concerned with the issue of governance". Rethinking Systems: Configurations of Politics and Policy in Contemporary Governance , written by Michael P. Crozier, is another work analyzing good governance. Crozier's article discusses the different dynamics of changes that occur throughout communication systems and
1517-401: The quality of governance of over 200 countries. It uses six dimensions of governance for their measurements, Voice & Accountability, Political Stability and Lack of Violence, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law , and Control of Corruption . They have been studying countries since 1996. Good governance defines an ideal that is difficult to achieve in full, though it
1558-481: The seven-point agenda for reform that was outlined by President Yar'Adua. We believe that delivering on roads and on electricity and on education and all the other points of that agenda will demonstrate the kind of concrete progress that the people of Nigeria are waiting for. A range of sources have found linkages between poverty reduction and good governance. Some find that growth is most effective at reducing poverty in well governed countries. Others find that there
1599-511: The state, the private sector and civil society. However, among different cultures, the need and demand for reform can vary depending on the priorities of that country's society. A variety of country level initiatives and international movements put emphasis on various types of governance reform. Each movement for reform establishes criteria for what they consider good governance based on their own needs and agendas. The following are examples of good governance standards for prominent organizations in
1640-461: Was created at a United Nations (UN) conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. In 1996, the IMF declared "promoting good governance in all its aspects, including by ensuring the rule of law, improving the efficiency and accountability of the public sector, and tackling corruption, as essential elements of a framework within which economies can prosper". The IMF feels that corruption within economies
1681-530: Was re-elected on 27 July 2005, 4 February 2010 and 20 February 2015. Upon her election to a third term on 4 February 2010, she became the longest serving Speaker in Dominica's history. In 2010, she was initially nominated by the Dominica Labour Party led government to become the next President of Dominica . She stepped down as the speaker in 2020, and was awarded title Speaker Emeritus. Boyd Knights