Good governance must be participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, equitable and inclusive and follow the rule of law. The most difficult element of good governance is to take into account the best interests of all stakeholders. Every organization and government should have at least a basic framework to ensure the practice of good governance and leaders who can follow them. The elements of such a framework should have;
Goal orientation
Objectivity
Value the rule of Law
Equitable and Inclusive
Respect and Responsive
Non-violent Attitude
Goal orientation
Without a goal having good governance does not mean anything. Being accountable to stakeholders for achieving a goal, is fundamental for governance to be recognized as good.
Objectivity
Actions should be unbiased and based on facts and not be influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice. We should also ensure that any decisions taken and their enforcement are in compliance with established rules and regulations. Which would also result in transparency.
Value the rule of Law
Good governance requires a fair legal framework and impartial regulatory bodies that can implement the rule of law for the protection of stakeholders. When the system and the environment is corrupt, no point waking up one day and complaining that “nobody did anything about the – corruption or breakdown in the rule of law” but do your best to comply.
Equitable and Inclusive
Equitable treatment of all, being fair and considering the well being of all stakeholders is a characteristic of good governance. The organization that provides the opportunity for its stakeholders to maintain, enhance, or generally improve their well-being provides the most compelling message regarding its value to society.
Respect and Responsive
Good governance requires that organizations and their processes are designed to serve the best interests of stakeholders. Consultation to understand the different interests and reaching a consensus shows respect to the different beliefs of stakeholders. This process also should ensure that the organization responds to the stakeholders in a timely manner.
Non violent Attitude
Being powerful and in a position of authority makes people believe that they should be respected and obeyed. Over a period of time, arrogance or cockiness makes leaders think of doing things ‘hook or by crook’, slowly acquiring an attitude to violent means. Many popular global leaders who won power legally, eventually become autocratic and used violent methods to rule. A non violent attitude encourages all forms of freedoms including that of expression and respect for the rule of law.
Whatever the framework, good governance requires well-intentioned people who bring their ideas, experiences and other strengths to the table. Therefore we need leaders of moral principle to achieve this status. Anyway, it is an ideal that cannot be achieved in its totality, but worthwhile trying for the good of our society.
Suren Rajakarier/ Governance 