Transformative power of good governance
The writer is a lawyer. He tweets @mumerrafiq
There is a famous dictum by Edward Gibbon, “the winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.” In the realm of national progress, the concept of good governance plays a pivotal role. It entails a system that promotes successful policies and institutions while ensuring transparency, accountability and the rule of law. A nation’s prosperity and the caliber of its leadership are intimately linked. This piece will examine the substantial effects of good governance on societal and economic development, with a special emphasis on Pakistan. We will also look at Pakistan’s current governance structure and offer suggestions for prospective modifications that can boost the country’s economic growth.
By creating stability, trust and confidence, good governance fosters an atmosphere favourable to economic growth. It creates the conditions for businesses to thrive, encourages domestic and foreign investment and promotes innovation. Increased productivity is a result of transparent and accountable governance practices that promote fair competition, prevent corruption and guarantee that resources are allocated appropriately. In addition to defending property rights and upholding contracts, a strong legal system encourages business development and attracts investment. Additionally, effective governance is intrinsically tied to social development, which is defined by greater living standards, equal opportunities and social fairness. Access to top-notch education, healthcare and other essential services is prioritised by an accountable and inclusive political system which also places a strong priority on the welfare of its citizens. Additionally, effective government promotes equitable resource allocation, narrows wealth disparities and upholds human rights.
According to the OECD (2019), quality governance consists of five interconnected features: impartiality/independence; transparency/accessibility of decision-making processes; rule of law coherence & enforcement; participatory engagement; and accountability.
Despite its enormous potential, Pakistan’s economic progress has been hampered by governance issues. Lack of transparency, institutional flaws and rampant corruption have impeded the nation’s development. These factors erode public confidence, discourage investment and increase inequality. Public management that is ineffective and incompetent has led to insufficient resource utilisation, stunted economic progress and increased social inequality. Pakistan also experiences a variety of other problems because of its weak governance systems which limit economic growth, exacerbate poverty and widen socioeconomic disparities. The following are a few of these problems: insufficient political accountability mechanisms; absence of citizen participatory engagement platforms; weak administrative institutions; legislative barriers to reform initiatives; poor business environment due to lack of reliable contract enforcement measures; dysfunctional revenue generation and resource allocation practices; and defects in fiscal decentralisation schemes hampered by political factors.
Given the complexity of Pakistan’s governance difficulties, there is no single magical answer, but rather a combination of efforts from all sides. I propose beginning with long-term educational programmes focused on teaching values and ethics to people of all ages, building strong morals in individuals and reducing corruption in society over time. Another critical part is adopting sophisticated technology into administrative systems to improve efficiency, transparency and oversight. Additionally, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed, including strengthening institutions; improving public financial management; enhancing public policy formulation and implementation techniques; streamlining bureaucratic processes; building cross-sectoral synergy in government operations; ensuring political stability and electoral reforms; defending minority rights; promoting legislative autonomy; and cultivating internal democracy among political parties. Last but not least, stronger oversight of public employees, coupled with conditional incentives and bonuses, would promote positive changes in areas like public health, education, environmental protection, poverty reduction, women’s rights, minority rights and working conditions. It may also motivate public employees to implement practical, forward-thinking policies that put the needs of the public before personal gain.
Several countries can be examined as examples of those that have made considerable efforts in improving their governance frameworks, resulting in remarkable economic and social success. Some of them are as follows:
Brazil: It has adopted far-reaching reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law, boosting transparency, combating corruption, lowering poverty rates, building basic infrastructure and increasing FDI attraction since 2003, which have altered the country’s economy.
Singapore: It has achieved tremendous economic growth and has become one of the world’s most successful countries by focusing on efficient government services, meritocracy and stringent rules. Furthermore, it has made significant investments in human resource development, providing superior education and training opportunities for its residents.
South Korea: After decades of military dictatorship, South Korea transitioned to a democratic system in the late 1980s and has enjoyed tremendous economic success since then. Its greatly improved access to foreign trade as a result of liberalisation efforts was critical. Despite its scant natural resources, the country has created solid institutions.
In conclusion, resolving the barriers to good governance is critical to realising the country’s full potential. Pakistan can establish an atmosphere that attracts investments, induces entrepreneurship and promotes social progress by prioritising transparency, accountability and the rule of law. Governance reforms would pave the path for a bright and inclusive future for Pakistan and its people. Nations can only harness the power of good governance to create sustainable economic growth and improve the well-being of their people through such concerted efforts as mentioned above.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2023.
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