Reassessing the notion of Governance and related concepts

Fumihiko SAITO

LORC

Ryukoku University

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

Governance and development

Spread of governance agenda: governance was used as a “clean cover.”– Decentralization reforms etc.

Management of governance agenda is “messy.”

Aid in the arena is not a value-neutral, technocratic and quick fix. It is essentially a political process.

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

Governance

Governance is a notion related to “interactions, in which public and private actors participate, aimed at solving societal problems or creating societal opportunities; attending to the institutions in the contexts for the governing institutions; and establishing a normative foundation for all those activities.” – Kooiman, 2003, p.4

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

Government vs. Governance

GOVERNMENT The only essential

actor Well resourced Problem solver The Welfare State: Big

Government The State-Society

relations is stable.

Government in GOVERNANCE

One of various actors Not well resourced Facilitator The Small State Fluid state-society

relations

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

Governance vs. governing

Are “government” and “governance” both a sub-category of “governing”? – (Evans et al. 2005)

Conventionally, “governance” is understood as a process of “governing.”

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

Managing governance processes

For effective management– Shared vision to guide collaboration of

stakeholders– Redefined division of responsibilities and tasks– Articulated mechanisms of coordination to

facilitate collaboration/partnerships

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

Inherent dilemma

On the one hand, Good government is indispensable for good governance.

On the other hand, can Bureaucracy cope with the kind of flexible management?

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

For effective Governance (1)

Deliberative democracy– Conceptual / theoretical problem

• Facilitative leadership presupposes that consensus is possible

• Yet, facilitator shifts views during deliberation?

• Question of representation

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

For effective Governance (2)

Partnership = autonomy vs. synergy effects– Individuals or organizations come into

partnerships which do not impair their autonomy. Partnerships also enable various synergy effects, including mutual learning that cannot be obtained independently.

BUT, equity and equality of actors in partnership arrangement.

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

Inequality among partners

Educated elite vs. illiterate mass– Mutual distrust (extreme example of South Africa)– Lack of consensus

• Good society for whom?

Importance of conflict-resolution: conflict in the form of violence, prejudice/distortion, and distrust

Need for mediators who support the marginalized; usually the role played by NGOs

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

Sustainability

Sustainable communities, are the ones which “meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, their children and other users, contribute to a high quality of life and provide opportunity and choice.” Sustainability here includes efficient use of natural resources, promotion of social cohesion, and economic prosperity – (UK ODPM, 2004: 7).

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

Triad aspects of sustainability

Social justice Economic prosperity Environmental soundness

LORC Ryukoku University 2006.11.30

The State, governance, and sustainability

Different states in Asia and Africa– Strong state, falling state

– Developmental state

State-society relations: The boundary of civil society depends on the nature of the state (dilemma of civil society).

Thank you very much