| LESSON 5
GOVERNANCE
“National sovereignty must not be used as a shield
for those who wantonly violate the rights and lives of their fellow
human beings. In the face of mass murder, armed intervention authorized
by the Security Council is an option that cannot be relinquished.”
— Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General
INTRODUCTION
Good governance is more than luck and tradition. The ability of
the government to deliver basic political, economic and social services
is crucial to the success of nation-building. Consequently, institutions
often become a focal point in Peace Operations. The significance
of strong institutions can be seen in their contribution to the
development of a robust market economy, the part that they play
in the management of public finances and the delivery of public
services, and the protection from arbitrary action that they offer
for the citizen.
OBJECTIVES
- Examine the goals, policies, organization, missions, and resources
required to establish good governance.
- Analyze the policies and principles that will facilitate the
development of institutions and their capacities.
- Examine how external actors can be more effective in bringing
about lasting changes and ensuring local ownership of the newly
emerging government.
ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION
- What steps can be taken to encourage the participation of marginalized
and disenfranchised members of society?
- What practical structures can be put in place to ensure the
needs of the people and state will be met?
REQUIRED READING
Degrasse and Caan, “Transitional Governance: From Bullets
to Ballots,” U.S. Institute of Peace Stability and Reconstruction
Series, July 2006 (On Blackboard)
Daniel N. Posner, “Civil Society and the Reconstruction of
Failed States.” When States Fail: Causes and Consequences.
ed. Robert I. Rotberg. Princeton University Press. 2004. p. 237-255.
SUPPLEMENTAL READING
Charles T. Call and Susan E. Cook. “On Democratization and
Peacebuilding.” Global Governance. April/June 2003.
(On Blackboard)
Viven Hart, “Democratic Constitution Making,” U.S.
Institute of Peace, July 2003. (On Blackboard)
|
|
