Good Governance: Perspectives and Experiences

Governance has been an engaging concern from time immemorial. It has gained increasing significance over the ages. Numerous kingdoms, kings and emperors have addressed this issue and set different systems and practices, in accordance with the obtaining situation and the emerging needs of society. The perfect art of governance was never a continued spell. In between, there were glimpses of excellence, otherwise, it lapsed into a routine role. The periods of excellence have always been rated as golden rule in history and are cherished over the ages. The entire gamut of governance stretches from the ‘Golden Age’ of the Mouryas to the modern e-governance state. The central role that effective governance plays in the economic and social development of a country is widely recognized now, as international organizations ensure reasonable conformity to high standards. The challenge of development is not only to improve the quality of life but also to achieve higher standards of health, nutrition, a cleaner environment, more equality of opportunity, greater individual freedom and a richer cultural life. In the Millennium Declaration, the world leaders stated that the development goals could only be achieved through good – or democratic – governance. Further, they pledged to spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law. These goals constitute the vision of the next decade and India is not lagging behind. This book seeks to present a comprehensive view of good governance and its role in the economic and social development of a nation, thus, making it an interesting reading not only to the policy makers but also to the consultants and academicians. Further, experiences of various countries in the implementation of ‘Good Governance Programmes’ provide useful insights into the role of various stakeholders in their successful implementation. It is hoped that the contents of this book would be informative and resourceful and the experiences, inspiring and educative to all concerned.