Citizens and good governance

OBJECTIVES

1. Describe the relationship between citizens and governments, as stated in the constitution.

2. Identify the essentials of good governance.

The relationship that should exist between citizens and government is set out in the constitution. This is a set of fundamental principles according to which a country is governed. The constitution of a country entails a set of rules that govern how a government is expected to exercise public power.

As a contract between the citizens and government, the constitution outlines:

The structure of government.

The powers of the executive, legislature and judiciary.

The rights, freedoms and responsibilities of citizens.

The method of choosing government. The conditions of citizenship.

The role of the civil service.

DEMOCRATIC

This is the system of government in Commonwealth Caribbean countries. It is usually described as government by the people; a form of government in which the ultimate power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them. As citizens, they can criticise the government and challenge its decisions through the mediation of their elected agents under a free electoral system.

AUTHORITARIAN

A leadership style in which the leader is the supreme authority and dictates policies and makes all the decisions by deciding what goals are to be achieved, and directs and controls all activities. Citizens do not have any opportunity to participate in government decision-making.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights protects citizens from discrimination on any grounds, including race, origin, religion, political opinions, colour or creed.

Citizens must play their part in: Obeying the laws.

Paying taxes.

Protecting public property. Assisting the police in maintaining law and order.

Serving on a jury when requested. Participating in elections. Protecting the environment.

SPEAKING UP FOR THE CITIZENS

The ombudsman is appointed to investigate complaints against public authorities and to ensure that citizens are not abused. This official investigates any allegations of poor performance, such as delays, incompetencies, loss of documentation, neglect or discrimination against any government official or department.

GOVERNANCE

The concept of ‘governance’, simply put, means: the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are executed or maybe not executed. Governance is evident in several contexts, such as corporate governance, international governance, national governance and local governance.

Governance is the process of decisionmaking and the process by which decisions are put into action. An analysis of governance focuses on decision-making and puts into operation the decisions made and the prescribed and unofficial structures that have been set in place to arrive at and employ decisions.

GOOD GOVERNANCE

Good governance aims at providing an environment in which all citizens can develop to their full potential. Good governance is seen as possessing eight major characteristics: participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account, and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making.

In order to evaluate how far we have reached in the pursuit of good governance, we need to understand what the characteristics of good governance are.

PARTICIPATION

All citizens should have a voice in decisionmaking, either directly or through legitimate institutions that represent their interests. Universal adult suffrage allows for as many people as possible to vote.

RULE OF LAW/INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY

Legal frameworks should be fair and enforced impartially, particularly the laws on human rights. The judiciary also helps in the administration and interpretation of the laws of a country. It may also act as a ‘check’ on the other branches of government.

TRANSPARENCY

There has to be communication and accountability. There are freedom of information laws and independent auditing.

RESPONSIVENESS TO THE NEEDS OF CITIZENS

Institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders. A government must make good decisions and set goals for the good of a country, as it has the authority to do so. All men and women have opportunities to improve or maintain their well-being.

CONSENSUS ORIENTATION

Good governance mediates differing interests to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interest of the group and, where possible, on policies and procedures.

EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY

Processes and institutions produce results that make the best use of resources. These must be generated towards enhancing citizens’ quality

of life and raising foreign exchange earnings. Human resources must be employed to make the most of a country’s physical resources.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Decision-makers in government and civil society organisations are accountable to the public, as well as to the institutional stakeholders. Governments must always strive to put in place structures to ensure transparency and accountability.

STRATEGIC VISION

Leaders and the public have a broad and long-term perspective on good governance and human development, along with a sense of their rights and duties. There is also an understanding of the historical, cultural and social complexities in which that perspective is grounded.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Good governance is essential, but it is difficult to achieve in its entirety. Very few countries and societies have come close to achieving good governance in its entirety. It must be remembered, however, to guarantee sustainable human development. The foundation of any democratic government is its citizens. Here, democracy is viewed as not only a right, but also a responsibility, and establishes the foundation for citizens taking part in governance.

The rights and responsibilities of citizenship develop in many ways: citizen involvement in governance encompasses not only citizen participation, but also citizen decision-making, information sharing, freedom of expression and voting. The methods of citizen involvement range from the spreading of information through electronic networks, newsletters, and public meetings, to engaged participatory processes that encourage all citizens to be active players in decisions made for their country.

SOURCES

UNDP (1997) Governance for Sustainable Human Development. United Nations Development Programme: https://www.gdrc.org/u-gov/g-attributes.html

Social Studies for CSEC: A Caribbean Examinations Council Study Guide

http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActiv ities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp

http://youthandchange.wordpress.com/home/ youth-and-democracy/participation-andgovernance/

ACTIVITIES

1. What is a constitution?

2. Why do countries need to have constitutions?

3. Suggest THREE reasons why citizens are considered the most important stakeholders in a country.

4. Explain the methods of ensuring good governance and state THREE reasons why it is important in any country.