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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
Promoting democractic governance
>> Foreign Aid in the National Interest >> Overview >> Promoting democratic governance Jump to Overview Sections:
>> 50 years of development gains >> Promoting democratic governance >> Driving economic growth >> Improving people's health >> Mitigating and managing conflict >> Providing humanitarian assistance >> The full measure of U.S. development assistance-official and private >> Notes >> Background papers >> ReferencesGood governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development. -UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Governance is a broad concept, encompassing the capacity of the state, the commitment to the public good, the rule of law, the degree of transparency and accountability, the level of popular participation, and the stock of social capital. Without good governance, it is impossible to foster development. No amount of resources transferred or infrastructure built can compensate for-or survive-bad governance.
Democracy is good for governance
The last quarter of the 20th century witnessed the greatest expansion of democracy in history. If democracy is defined in the minimal sense-as a system of government in which the principal positions of political power are filled through free, fair, and regular elections-about three of every five independent states are democracies today (figures 1, 2, and 3).
For a full text description, click here.Note: Data for 2001 are for the end of the calendar year, from the Freedom House survey for that year. Data for 1974 reflect Larry Diamond’s estimate of the number of democracies in April 1974, at the inception of the third wave. Data for 1987 are also his estimate.
Source:Freedom House 2002.
For a full text description, click here.
For a full text description, click here.
Political parties are among the core elements of democracy. They are the only tested vehicles to structure electoral competition, organize government, and recruit leaders. Yet, almost universally, they stand in disrepute. Their client electorates do not believe they truly represent interests or work for the common good. Instead, parties are often seen as internally authoritarian, corrupt, even venal. Donors often agree-and prefer to work with "purer" actors in civil society. This would be a mistake. Donors need to help reform parties, no less than governmental institutions or NGOs.
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Last Updated on: October 07, 2009 |
