DECENTRALIZATION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Dr David AyresConsultant

5 November 2008

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A Key Question

How does good governance relate to D&D reform?

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What is Governance?

It means different things to different people.

Making decisions and taking action. Governance is about the institutional

environment in which citizens interact among themselves, and with government agencies/officials. Institutional environment Citizens interact among themselves Citizens interact with government .... And government interacts within itself

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What is Good Governance?

It is about the process for making decisions and taking action

“Getting policies right” is not sufficient for good governance

It is also about how governments actually deliver to their citizens what they say they will deliver.

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Elements of Good Governance? There is no single definition of good

governance Most would agree with the following

elements: Accountability Transparency Participation Predictability

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Accountability I6

Readiness or preparedness to give an explanation or justification to relevant others (stakeholders) for one's judgements, intentions, acts and omissions when appropriately called upon to do so. It is about how we answer for the things we

are responsible for

Accountability II7

Accountability is linked to responsibility.... Anyone who is responsible is thereby accountable.

Is about making people answerable for their decisions and actions.

In government ... ... government is accountable to the people

who elected it ... Public officials are accountable to the

government, which is accountable to the people

Accountability: Example8

Mr X employs me to do tasks A, B and C I am responsible for A, B and C I am accountable to Mr X for A, B and C

The people elect the government to make decisions and take actions The government is responsible for making

the decisions and taking the actions (it promised at elections)

The government is accountable to the people for its decisions and actions.

Transparency I9

Transparency refers to the availability of information to the general public and clarity about government rules, regulations, and decisions.

Why do we need it? It is linked to accountability It reduces uncertainty Can help inhibit corruption among public

officials.

Transparency: Example10

A district office is delegated the task of collecting fees for a particular service. Transparency: The service fees are

published and widely known Transparency: The amount of fees collected

by the office is published and available

Participation I11

Is about people have a voice in decision-making. Government spends people’s money on the things

people think are important Can be direct:

People talking to government officials People voting for government

Can be indirect: Civil Society Organisations talk to government on

behalf of their members Why?

Democracy does not automatically mean people’s concerns are considered in decision-making.

Predictability I12

The fair and consistent application of laws, regulations, and policies

Why do we need it? Plan and make decisions. Attract business and investment.

Corruption is the enemy of predictability!

How does “GG” relate to “D&D”

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D&D can improve or enhance good governance because it brings government closer to the people

EXAMPLE14

Government has a policy of “free” primary education

Accountability: Government is responsible for

implementing the policy Government is accountable to the people

for the success of the policy Government officials (bureaucracy) are

responsible to the government

EXAMPLE II15

Transparency: Information about the “free” education policy

should be known Information about the cost of the policy should

be available Participation:

People vote for government because they like the policy

Teacher Union and parents talk to government about some officials charging fees (preventing corruption)

EXAMPLE III16

Predictability: Policy is known and consistent Parents can make decisions about enrolling

their children at school with certainty

EXAMPLE: Decentralization17

The government transfers responsibility for enforcing the policy to commune councils. Accountability:

Council is accountable to government for the function

Council is accountable to people Transparency:

Communes are closer to the people ... Easier to make information available

Participation: It is easier for people to communicate with

commune

QUESTIONS18