What is good governance ? Good Governance

 What is Good Governance ? 

Good Governance is a contemporary and wide-spread concept brought in use in 1990's decade. It is related to the process of governing the state in a best manner. The main objective of good governance is to establish a nation dedicated to public welfare by promoting the capacity and efficiency of the public sectors. Good governance includes the rule of law, protection of human rights, effective public participation, multiparty political system, transparency and responsibility. It also includes the competent and efficient public sector, access to information, political ability, equality, etc. Good governance is not limited only within government or public sectors but also helping to reform in the whole governing system by the cooperation and coordination with private sector and civil society. 

Good governance is the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights in a manner essentially free of abuse and cooperation and with due regard for the rule of law. The true test of 'good governance' is the degree to which it delivers on the promise of human rights; civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. When all the organs of the state provide positive contribution of the general welfare of people, it is the state of good governance. The government, civil society, media and private sectors have been building the foundation of good governance. 

Key elements of good governance 

The key elements of good governance are: appropriate use of power, honesty, guarantee of human rights, civil society, transparency, rule of law, decentralization, right to information, right to minority, accountability, legitimacy, participation, good conduct, etc. 

Good governance has been clarified by the UN's publication: "good governance practices for the promotion of human rights" in this way. 

Main features of Good Governance 

• Responsible government to the people 
• Guarantee of human rights 
• Freedom of information and expression 
• Gender equality 
• Democratic government with civilized society 
• Independent and impartial judiciary 
• Competent civil society 
• Sustainable and eco-friendly development
• Accountable bureaucracy 
• Wide-spread public participation 
• Rule of law 
• Decentralized governance 
• Corruption free society 
• Transparent decision making process
• Multiparty democratic governing system

It is not an easy task to maintain good governance in different countries which varies according to the countries. . There are many challenges and problems in achieving good governance. The following are the challenges and problems of good governance: 

• Poverty 
• Weak civil society
• Lack of public pressure
•  Lack of appropriate plans and policies 
• Procedural administration 
• Institutional corruption 
• Lack of political awareness in general public 
• Ineffective implementation of law 

The government alone cannot fight against these challenges. People are the major source to discourage such barriers. Apart from it, the following are the possible measures to minimize the challenges of good governance: 

• Use of citizen charter for the clients and its implementation accordingly,. 
• Management of the activities to be publicized by the public bodies, civil society, private sector, court and media. \
• Practical assurance of press freedom and freedom of expression. 
• Effective implementation of right to information and decentralized government system 
• Practical implementation of different kinds of law that deals with corruption and different corruption prevention organizations should conduct work accordingly according to the country.