Since the 1990s, the term "good governance" has been widely used, extending beyond the traditional power-centric mechanisms of government to embrace the concept of a welfare state. The primary function of a government is to govern, which is tied to the evolving needs of its people, political commitments, and the delivery of services by government institutions. Traditionally, governance involved the state exercising administrative, economic, and political power to address public welfare and other matters, with limited public access to the governance system.
The World Bank's 1992 report, *Governance and Development*, broadened the meaning of good governance. It linked good governance to development management, emphasizing the adoption of sound economic policies to achieve result-oriented outcomes. Thus, good governance is a system where people are at the core of governance. The government works for the social, economic, and individual development of its citizens. Replacing the traditional public administration paradigm, the concept of good governance advocates for proper public sector management, the rule of law, increased accountability and responsibility, transparency in public institutions, equality and inclusivity, public participation, and enhanced government effectiveness. Good governance is the best form of governance, one that people can feel, as it promotes participatory governance and envisions a corruption-free society through the joint efforts of the political system and bureaucracy.
Challenges
Due to nearly a decade of internal conflict, political instability, socio-economic backwardness, illiteracy, poverty, and a political and bureaucratic system entangled in corruption, Nepal has not achieved the expected progress in establishing good governance. After the peace process, steps toward promoting good governance include the enactment of the Good Governance (Management and Operation) Act, 2064 (2007) and Regulations, 2065 (2008), as well as the Right to Information Act, 2064 (2007) and Regulations, 2065 (2008). Additionally, the state has implemented governance reform programs, integrated good governance into policies and plans, introduced reservation policies in civil services, established citizen charters, set up governance reform units in ministries, ensured public hearings, created grievance redressal mechanisms like "Hello Sarkar," and promoted public participation in projects. Despite periodic commitments from political leadership, the following challenges persist:
- Lack of political will to establish good governance, with the concept often limited to slogans and speeches, and politics appearing driven by personal interests rather than public welfare.
- Ineffective implementation of existing laws and regulations, coupled with a lack of attention from stakeholders to government directives aimed at promoting good governance.
- Insufficient government mechanisms and institutions to support good governance, leading to declining performance levels.
- Lack of alignment between state policies and their practical implementation.
- Despite efforts to curb corruption, freeing politics and bureaucracy from its grip remains a significant challenge.
- While accountability, transparency, and responsibility are frequently discussed, stakeholders struggle to internalize these principles.
- Marginalized and oppressed communities, including backward classes, continue to face exclusion from mainstream governance.
- The saying "law for the small, leniency for the big" undermines the rule of law, making it difficult to advance the state.
- Low civic awareness prevents people from being proactive, while illiteracy and poverty require significant efforts to overcome.
- Preserving morality and patriotism among civil servants and political figures is increasingly challenging.
- Political interference in the civil service must be eliminated.
- Enhancing the effectiveness of oversight and regulatory bodies is necessary.
- Accusations persist that governance reform programs are donor-driven rather than aligned with national policies and needs.
- The roles of civil society, journalists, professionals, and businesses need to be further strengthened.
The Way Forward
- Political and administrative leadership must remain committed to their promises and move forward accordingly.
- Strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms at both administrative and political levels to ensure effective prevention.
- Focus on the effective implementation of existing laws and regulations.
- Take steps to depoliticize the civil service.
- Reform government organizational structures as needed to improve service delivery.
- Ensure transparency, accountability, and responsibility are not just rhetoric but are practiced by all stakeholders.
- Strengthen civic awareness and public participation.
- Enhance oversight mechanisms to make them more robust.
- Ensure stakeholders uphold economic integrity, commitment to the rule of law, and loyalty to their responsibilities, with appropriate rewards and penalties for civil servants.
- Address citizen grievances effectively.
- Maintain a transparent and reliable justice system while guaranteeing the right to information and freedom of expression.
