What is good governance?

The concept of good governance is not a new concept, even though it seems to be the buzzword now for major organisations and aid-givers to evaluate whether aid should be given to countries or not.

• In India, the concept was talked about in the Arthashastra, authored by Chanakya. He mentions the characteristics of a good king thus, “In the happiness of his subjects lies his happiness, in their welfare his welfare; whatever pleases himself, he does not consider as good, but whatever pleases his subjects he considers as good.”
• Mahatma Gandhi had also given the term ‘Su- Raaj’ literally meaning good governance.
• Governance can be defined as ‘the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented.’
• Governance refers to the decision-making and administration involved in any level, i.e., national, regional, local, corporate, family, etc.
• Government is a key actor in governance.