Governance, Democracy, Consolidation and the ‘End of Transition’

Abstract

The notion of governance: a multi-level phenomenonThere is a substantial literature on governance, but little agreement on precisely what it means, as a result of which the term is often used in different ways. A sophisticated and flexible formulation is offered by The Commission on Global Governance, which defines governance as ‘the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, public and private, manage their common affairs. It is a continuing process through which conflicting or diverse interests may be accommodated and cooperative action may be taken. It includes formal institutions and regimes empowered to enforce compliance, as well as informal arrangements that people and institutions either have agreed to or perceive to be in their interest’ (1995: 2).

The AsiaBarometer: Its Aim, Its Scope, Its Strength

“…The concept of global governance has been created as a way of containing these negative consequences of globalization. This refers to efforts aimed at building a global framework -in the absence of a world government -to ensure a certain degree of rule of law, transparency, and accountability, so as to enable individuals to pursue their own safety, happiness, and fulfillment (Inoguchi and Bacon, 2003).…”