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Table of Content Page No. 1. Governance And Its Dimensions............................................................................................................................. 1-34 2. Development Strategies In India........................................................................................................................... 35-71 3. Regulatory And Quasi-Judicial Framework........................................................................................................... 72-87 4. The Representation of People Act Strengthening Democracy.......................................................................... 88-99 5. Administrative Structure And Functioning In India............................................................................................. 100-120 6. Civil Services Pillars of Indian Governance............................................................................................................ 121-138
CHAPTER 01 GOVERNANCE AND ITS DIMENSIONS The term governance originates from the Greek word ‘Kybernan’, meaning "to steer," "to pilot," or "to be at the helm of things." Governance can be broadly understood as the process of decision-making and the implementation of these decisions. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines governance as the "act or manner of governing." Governance is inherently linked to the concept of government. Some experts describe governance as “government in action” or the active functioning of a government. Origin of the Concept of Government The evolution of government can be traced back to the time when early humans began living settled lives. As societies became more structured, there arose a need to: 1. Protect means of livelihood. 2. Prevent conflicts within and between groups. For instance, in Vedic society, which followed the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, cattle were the primary means of livelihood. Historical texts describe battles fought for the protection of cattle. To ensure safety and stability, individuals entrusted their wealth or responsibilities to a protector, referred to as ‘Gopati’. In exchange, this protector ensured peace and maintained what we now call law and order. Theories on the Origin of Government Several theories attempt to explain the emergence of governments: 1. Force Theory: Suggests governments originated through domination or coercion. 2. Evolutionary Theory: Proposes that governments evolved from familial and tribal systems. 3. Divine Right Theory: Argues that governments were ordained by divine powers or deities. 4. Social Contract Theory: Asserts that individuals voluntarily relinquished some rights to form a government that ensures order and security. Modern Government In contemporary terms, a government is an instrument of the state with the authority to wield power. It comprises the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary and serves as the central political organization tasked with: ● Enforcing laws and policies. ● Regulating citizen behavior. ● Delivering public goods and services. ● Representing the interests of its population. Governance Vs. Government While the terms government and governance are often used interchangeably, they are distinct concepts: ● Government: Refers to a formal institution that wields state power. ● Governance: Involves the participation of multiple institutions (beyond the state) in the management of public a airs, emphasizing cooperation and inclusivity. This distinction highlights the evolving nature of governance in modern societies, where private entities, non-governmental organizations, and citizens play active roles alongside governments in shaping public policies and outcomes. Origin of the term ‘Governance’ The term governance gained prominence when Harlan Cleveland first used it in the mid-1970s as an alternative to public administration. He emphasized the idea of “less government and more governance.” Governance assumed greater significance in 1989 when the World Bank advocated for it as a new approach to development, particularly for developing countries, defining governance as the exercise of political power to manage a nation’s a airs.The concept of governance has been interpreted and defined by several organizations: ● World Bank: Governance is defined as: “The manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources by government.” Governance encompasses: ○ The form of the political regime (e.g., parliamentary or presidential, military or civilian, authoritarian or democratic). ○ Processes by which authority is exercised. ○ Government’s capacity to design, implement, and enforce policies. ● Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): Governance is the: “Use of political 1
authority and exercise of control in a society in relation to the management of its resources for social and economic development.” Key components include: ○ Legitimacy of government. ○ Accountability of political and o cial elements. ○ Competence to make policies and deliver services. ○ Respect for human rights and rule of law. ● United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Governance involves: “The exercise of economic, political, and administrative authority to manage a nation’s a airs at all levels.” It includes mechanisms for: ○ Articulating citizen interests. ○ Exercising legal rights. ○ Mediating societal di erences. ● Planning Commission of India: Governance refers to: “The management of processes that define the environment enabling individuals to enhance their capabilities and realize their potential while expanding their choices.” Elements of Governance ● Exercise of Power and Authority: ○ Process and institutions by which authority is exercised. ○ Systems that govern interactions among the state, civil society, and private sector. ○ Spaces for decision-making in public life and economic-social development. ● Government’s Capacity: ○ E cient resource management. ○ Formulating, implementing, and enforcing policies. ○ Delivering essential services like justice, education, health, and infrastructure. Entities involved in Governance Governance involves a collaboration between: ● Government institutions. ● Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). ● Civil society groups. ● Research institutes and financial institutions. ● Media, lobbyists, multinational corporations, and international organizations. An example is the Pulse Polio Programme, where both public and private institutions collaborated with direct citizen involvement to ensure every child was vaccinated against polio. Contextual meanings of Governance Governance is a dynamic concept whose meaning varies based on context: ● Governance as the Minimal State: ○ Focuses on privatization and a reduced role for government. ○ The government acts as an enabler or facilitator rather than an all-encompassing authority. ● Governance as Corporate Governance: ○ Refers to systems for directing and controlling organizations. ○ Ensures accountability, regulatory frameworks, and strategic management. ● Governance as New Public Management: Aims to make public administration market-based, emphasizing E ciency, Economy, and E ectiveness (3Es). ● Governance as a Social-Cybernetics System: ○ Highlights the interdependence of multiple actors in governance. ○ Rejects centralized authority in favor of collaborative decision-making. ● Governance as Self-Organizing Networks: ○ Stresses horizontal collaboration between the state, market, and civil society. ○ Networks serve as platforms for public-private cooperation. Dimensions of Governance According to the 1999 Human Development Report for South Asia, governance can be categorized into three dimensions: ● Political Governance: ○ Regular, free, and fair elections. ○ Impartial judiciary and constitutional checks. ○ Accountability of elected representatives. ○ Elimination of discrimination. ● Economic Governance: ○ Macroeconomic stability (balanced budget, low inflation). ○ Property rights and equitable access to resources. ○ Progressive taxes and e cient subsidies. ○ Social investment in education, healthcare, and job creation. 2