Lecture- 8: Democracy & Good Governance

Presented by Abul Kalam Azad Senior Lecturer, GED Northern University Bangladesh E-mail: [email protected]

Introduction

Recently, the term ‘Good Governance’ is being increasingly used in the development literature. Intellectuals, bureaucrats and civil society governance.

members Let’s define are the gradually accepting the spirit of this concept and conceptualizing in their own experience and environment. All the internal and external actors of politics, administration and development are emphasizing on the need for good governance in Bangladesh.

However, democracy is the criteria for good concept ‘democracy’ and ‘good governance’.

Definition of Democracy Democracy is derived from the

demokratía

democracies.

( middle of the 5 th -4 th century BC.

people, for the people.” Greek popular government) in the Abraham Lincoln shortly defined democracy as “the government of the people, by the However, democracy is by far the most challenging form of government - both for politicians and for the people. The so-called "democracies" in classical antiquity (Athens and Rome) represent precursors of modern

Like modern democracy, they were created as a reaction to a concentration and abuse of power by the rulers. Yet the theory of modern democracy was not formulated until the human Age essential of rights, Enlightenment elements of religious (17 liberty th /18 classical and modern view of democracy.

th centuries), when philosophers defined the democracy: separation of powers, basic civil rights / and separation of church and state. Let’s define

Classical Definition of Democracy

Often democracy is defined as opposite to other types of government: Monarchy is government by a single ruler (king/queen, emperor); Aristocracy (hereditary); is government by noblemen Oligarchy is government by few persons; Theocracy is government by God" (in reality this means government by religious leaders); Dictatorship have seized power by force (often: military dictatorship).

is government by people, that

Today, the majority of democratic countries in the world are republics, i.e. officials are elected. Some well-established democratic countries in Europe, however, (the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and the Scandinavian countries) are constitutional monarchies, i.e. a king or queen and is head sets clear of limits state to while duties rather than as a danger for a democracy.

the constitution guarantees nevertheless all basic rights as in any democratic republic and competences of the monarch. Such a king can be regarded as a stabilizing factor

Modern Definition of Democracy Because democracy aristocracy regard to of to the definition opposite to of the monarchy rather creates confusion with constitutional monarchies establishing clarity, appropriate to define authoritarian and it democracy is term and instead more opposite totalitarian regimes: Democracy: Form of government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law.

Totalitarian regime: Government by a little group of leaders on the basis of an ideology, that claims general validity for all aspects of life and usually attempts to replace religion. The regime does not tolerate any deviation from its state ideology. Regime opponents are persecuted, tortured, detained in concentration mass executions (genocide).

camps and members of ethnic minorities are killed in Historic examples of totalitarian regimes include: National Socialism (Germany under Hitler, 1933-1945) and Stalinism.

Authoritarian regime: Government by a little group of leaders. In contrast to totalitarian regimes, authoritarian regimes have ideology and grant some amount of freedom (e.g. economic and cultural) as long as jeopardized. The most important goal of authoritarian maintenance of no their distinct rule regimes power country and its population.

is is and state not the the personal enrichment on cost of the

Key Elements of Democracy 1. Guarantee of basic Human Rights to every individual person vis-à-vis the state and its authorities as well as vis-à-vis any social groups.

2. Separation of Powers institutions of the state: [Executive Power], Power] and Power] between Parliament Courts of Law the Government [Legislative [Judicative 3. Freedom of opinion, speech, press and mass media 4. Religious liberty 5. General and equal right to vote 6. Good Governance

Definition of Good Governance The concept ‘good governance’ is not new. This is as old as human civilization. In general sense good governance means an ideal governing system that is inevitable for political, economic, social and cultural development of a country. Many scholars have attempted to define the concept.

According to Husain, Saddat , In operational terms these refer to enjoyment of fundamental administrative human rights, dispersion, case for training Intervention] independence of judiciary, abiding by the rule of law, policy based transparency, accountability, predictability, effectiveness and efficiency of the government. [Good Governance-A

Realizing and Development these include: societies; efficient the and difficulties (OECD) effective of has define good governance the overwhelming tendency has been to delineate aspects of good governance.

The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization of Economic Co-operation national highlighted several aspects of good governance. Some of 1. the promotion of democracy and open pluralistic 2. the Strengthening of transparent, accountable, and local government; 3. the promotion of respect for human right; 4. the reinforcement of rule of law, including fair and accessible legal and judicial systems;

5. the promotion of independent media and the dissemination of information; 6. anti-corruption initiatives; and 7. efforts to reduce excessive military expenditure.

Actually there is no complete and universal recognized satisfactory definition of good governance. In this respect we should discussed the elements of good governance for better and comprehensive idea of good governance.

Elements of Good Governance A number of multilateral organizations (e.g. UNDP, World Bank, OECD) and bilateral organizations have reflected on the elements of good governance and on their relation to development. Multilateral organizations generally equate good governance with sound economic management based on (i) accountability; (ii) Participation; (iii) Predictability and (iv) Transparency. However, there are some bilateral donors who are not satisfied with this narrow economic definition of good governance.

They would like at least five more elements to be included as an essential part of good governance, namely (i) democratization; (ii) human rights; (iii) the rule of law; (iv) cuts in military expenditure and (v) probity.

The UNDP (1977) has identified five basic principles of good governance, which are as follows: 1. Legitimacy and voice 2. Direction 3. Performance 4. Accountability 5. Fairness .

Also, nine criteria of good governance may be used to determine whether any country qualifies to have good governance are:

1. Independent and non partisan election commission 2. Independent judiciary and the rule of law 3. Independent media and freedom of speech 4. Independent commission anti-corruption 5. Investing in the people 6. Independent and effective parliament 7. Independent human rights commission 8. Independent ombudsman system 9. Investment friendly government.

Democracy & Good Governance in Bangladesh: Problems & Prospects At present, democracy and good governance in Bangladesh are far from the actual consonance of these terms. There are several factors and issues that are constraining the very process of good governance. The major problems are: 1. Corruption 2. Inefficiency of bureaucracy 3. Politicization of administration 4. Nepotism 5. Non-observance of the rule of law 6. Improper use of resources

7. Absence of a democratic political culture 8. Lack of political morality 9. Absence of a strong civil society 10. Absence of strong political leadership 11. Confrontational politics 12. Ineffective political institutions 13. Negativity/Double standard 14. Lack of tolerance and reciprocity There are also prospects of democracy and good governance in our country as follows: 1. Homogeneous character of the people 2. March toward two party system 3. Provision for caretaker government 4. People’s eagerness for democracy 5. Peaceful transition of power

What is To Be Done 1. Our politicians should realize that they have a responsibility to build people's will and expectations up the nation and they should pay due respect to 2. Both the government and opposition should work under democratic norms and values instead of confrontation and egoism 3. Attempts should be made to make our parliament as the center of all political activities 4. Consensus among political parties is a must to fight against corruption and terrorism 5. Our politicians should be positive in playing their role in the polity 6. Consensus among political parties about national key issues

Conclusion

Finally, efforts should be continued to make our people politically aware and habituated with democratic norms, value and practices. In this case, the media, civil society and socio-political organizations and institutions must play the pioneering role. Thus, both top down and bottom up approach may be applied to make the people aware of interests of their own country.