Good Governance

Since the debate on globalisation began in the 1990s, the role of the state has recently been the subject of more attention. According to the World Bank’s 1997 Development Report, as developments increase in complexity, decision-makers must be capable of designing a common political framework to unite the different private, social and economic forces. Additionally the report clarified that only the state can assume this roll in a global, market-oriented and incredibly complex environment.

The concept of “state” is not sufficient in and of itself to promote development and ensure its sustainability. The “good” state, good governance, is generally accepted as an important prerequisite for sustainable development. Good governance describes a new understanding of government and administration. The “good” state defines the rules and sets the general framework for institutions and administrations, for the business community and those active in civil society. It governs communal living, and in so doing is fundamentally participative, trustworthy, transparent, efficient, treats all its citizens equally, and follows its own rules. The state also secures basic services for its citizens and represents their interests on an international level. Good governance in this sense, as the former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan once explained, is therefore perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.

In the Millennium Declaration passed in 2000, United Nations member countries noted the importance of this principle. Good governance was included as both an objective of development and as a necessary condition for reaching the Millennium Development Goals. Just a few years later the World Bank added its support of this concept. In a study from 2005, it declared good governance a precondition for increasing living standards – and as such for development. Accordingly, great strides forward could be made in developing and transition countries through fair laws, reliable bureaucracies, responsible justice, political stability and low levels of corruption.

Many of these countries have already initiated reform processes with the objective of developing responsible and efficient governments. Inwent provides assistance along this path and cooperates in implementing universal criteria such as participation, transparency and reporting, thus guaranteeing citizens a minimum of security and prosperity. Via capacity building Inwent contributes to the necessary political sensitisation and persuasion while at the same time helping to strengthen the institutional structures of partner countries.

Information from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on the topic