On Governance
What It Is, What It Means and Its Policy Uses
Description
Spreading good governance is a key goal of political leaders and reformers — whether it is to improve cities, nations, regimes or institutions — because better-governed people are more likely to avoid civil conflict and obtain significant social returns. But just what is meant by “governance” at the national or international level? Is it a fuzzy concept, or is it a clear set of rules or norms? How can it help to strengthen societies and drive better policy? On Governance: What It Is, What It Measures and Its Policy Uses answers these questions. By proposing new theories for national and global governance, examining more than 90 governance indexes and analyzing best practices in governance, this volume suggests how policy makers can use governance theory and governance indexes to improve both domestic and multilateral decision making. World order depends on strengthened governance. On Governance spells out the meaning and the potential benefits of governance innovation for civil society and national policy makers. Building on the measured effects of policies in many dimensions of human existence, this book provides a guide to creating more positive outcomes for people everywhere.
Reviews
“The analysis of governance has concerned many disciplines, generating an enormous literature attempting to define and measure this concept. This book strikes a difficult compromise: it does justice to such a complex and multifaceted subject, while remain
“On Governance is a trailblazing contribution to our theoretical and practical understanding of how governments successfully ‘perform’ or effectively deliver services to their citizens. With methodological nuance and analytical precision, Rotberg and his colleagues provide a pioneering road map to the new governance ‘index universe,’ offering important guidance on how these emerging diagnostic tools can help improve policy making at the local, national and global levels.” Alexander Cooley, Professor and Department Chair, Barnard College; Deputy Director for Social Sciences Programming, Columbia University