The Social Science Review A Multidisciplinary Journal. November-December, 2024. Vol. 2. Issue 6.

84-87
Published by: Pather Dabi Educational Trust, (Regn No: IV-1402-00064/2023), Under Govt. of West Bengal, India

GOVERNANCE: MEANING, TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS

Firdous Rahaman

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Author Details: Ph. D. Research Abstract
Scholar, Department of Political
Science, Raiganj University, West The word ‘governance’ originally came from Greek word “Kubernan” or “Kubernaein” which
Bengal, India means ‘to steer’. Etymologically, the word ‘governance’ refers to the manner of steering and
controlling of a state or country. In general ‘governance’ means the exercise of power by authority
of a country for the well being of their citizens. It has five pillars like the people, the land, law and
jurisdiction, government system and resources. There are various types of governance such as
participatory governance, global governance, good governance, e-governance, corporate
Corresponding Author: Firdous
governance, and environmental governance. The main objective of this research paper is to
Rahaman
understand the meaning of governance along with various types of governance and their meaning
as well as characteristics of governance briefly.

DOI: Keywords: Governance, Democratic Governance, Global Governance, Good Governance, E-

https://doi.org/10.70096/tssr.240206014 Governance, Corporate Governance, Environmental Governance

Introduction
According to the World Bank’s documents on “Governance and development” (1992), the governance is considered as a
process by which the legitimized power had been exercised for the utilization of resources of a country for development but
not growth. The World Bank study “Sub-Saharan Africa-from Crisis to Sustainable Growth” published in 1989 focused on
governance, which it defined as the need for institutional reform and a better, more effective public sector. Analysing the
developmental issues in sub-Saharan nations was the primary goal of the bank’s study. The bank placed a strong emphasis on
the public sector’s transformation from government to governance. During this time, the term “governance” was used to refer
to groups within civil society rather than the government. The importance of governance has increased during the 1990s. The
goals of the New Public Management, such as economy, efficiency, and effectiveness, have led to the reformation of the public
sectors at this time through the decentralization and de-bureaucratization concepts. Today, governance is viewed in terms of
how socio-economic resources are used to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of public services. The city or country has
taken into account the management and the administrator has taken into account the customer. R. A. W. Rhodes claims that
“Governance refers to self-organizing, inter-organizational networks characterized by interdependence, resource-exchange,
rules of the game, and significant autonomy from the state”. Hyden also said that the “Governance is the stewardship of the
formal and informal political rules of the game. Governance refers to those measures that involve setting the rules for the
exercise of power and settling conflict over such rules”. From the above mention definitions, it is clear that the term
“governance” refers to a collection of networks working towards a common objective. Intergovernmental, intra-organizational,
or international networks can make up these networks of governing processes. The relationship between the state and society
can also be used to describe it.
Objectives: The objectives for this study are as followings:
1. To understand the meaning of Governance.
2. To know the various types of Governance.
3. To know about the characteristics of governance.

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 The Social Science Review A Multidisciplinary Journal. November-December, 2024. Vol. 2. Issue 6. 84-87
Published by: Pather Dabi Educational Trust, (Regn No: IV-1402-00064/2023), Under Govt. of West Bengal, India

Research Methodology: This research study is descriptive in nature. Data are collected based on the secondary resources
which are books, journals, research articles, magazines, print media as well as electronic media, and various government
websites etc.
Meaning of Governance
Historically the concept of Governance is not new. In the ancient Greek, the word governance is known as ‘kubernan’ which
means to steer a ship. Greek philosopher Plato also used this word in a metaphysical way that ‘kubernan’ refer to steering of
human being. In the Latin verb governance is famous as ‘gubernare’ which is also bearing same meaning as like Greek word.
In the medieval Frence, the word ‘governance’was known as ‘gouvernoeur’,and it was used as synonym of ‘government’. In
the 14th Century the Frence word ‘gouvernoeur’ was also took entry in Spanish and Portuguese language as ‘governaca’. The
word ‘governaca’ is the same meaning of the modern term of government. In Spain, governance is known as ‘gobernanza’ and
it was used in the perspective of European Union. In some of the Latin American countries the word ‘gobernanza’ designated a
floor maid in the hotel. Though, later the word slowly becoming dominant as well as equivalent like the English word
‘governance’. In the year 1990s the United Nations reconceptualised the concept of governance and define that it is “the
exercise of political, economic and administrative authority in the management of a country’s affairs.”
Governance means the process of decision making together with the process by which these decisions are implemented. Thus
governance is a process by which authority in a country is exercised for the common good, it includes: (i) the process by which
those in authority are elected or selected, monitored and replaced, (ii) the capacity and the activities of the governments to
effectively manage its resources and implemented sound policies, and (iii) the citizens and the state’s respect for the
institutions that govern economic and social interaction among them (Aslam, 2007). Gerry Stoker has identified five
dimensions of governance. These are following (1) Governance refers to a complex set of institutions and actors that are drawn
from but also beyond the government, (2) Governance recognizes the blurring of boundaries and responsibilities for tackling
social and economic issues, (3) Governance identifies the power independence involved in the relationships between
institutions involved in collective action, (4) Governance is about autonomous self- governing networks of actors, (5)
Governance recognizes the capacity to get things done which does not rest on the power of the government to command or
used its authority. It sees government as able to use new tools and techniques to steer and guide (Mathur, 2008).
Pillars of Governance: There are five pillars of effective governance which are as followings:
1. The people,
2. The land,
3. Laws and jurisdiction,
4. Governing system, and
5. Resources.

Types of Governance: There are various types of governance, these are followings (1) Participatory or Democratic
Governance, (2) Global Governance, (3) Good Governance, (4) E-Governance, (5) Corporate Governance, and (6)
Environmental Governance.
1. Participatory or Democratic Governance: The involvement of citizens in the formulation and execution of policy is
ensured by participatory or democratic government. The participation can be through elections, referendums, and local self-
government, protests, etc. Democratic governance refers to the processes that ensure democratic institutions are operating in
accordance with democratic procedures, not just a set of laws and institutions. The main goal of this form of government is to
guarantee service delivery to all societal sectors. And the only way to make that happen is to ensure that the public participates
in all democratic institutions, decision-making processes. Good example of participatory governance is the 73 rd and 74th
constitutional Amendment Act 1992. This amendment act has introduced participatory governance in India. It make available
local self government and empower grassroots people to participate in the decision making process of local level bodies.
2. Global Governance: The most important type of governance is global governance. Rosenau used the term “global
governance” for the first time. Rosenau said that “global governance is conceived to include systems of rule at all levels of
human activity from the family to the international organization in which the pursuit of goals through the exercise of the
control has transnational repercussions.” The existence of non-state actors along with states today is the origin of the concept
of global governance. Today, international organizations like the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF),
World Bank, and World Trade Organization (WTO) exist right next to states. Along with strong non-state players, we also
have global civil society, international enterprises, and non-governmental organizations. The best example of global
governance is the United Nations.
3. Good Governance: The World Bank was the first global organization to adopt the idea of good governance into funding
arrangements for developing nations and to make it known to the general public in the 1990s. The idea of good governance
was defined in its 1992 report “Governance and Development” as the way in which authority is used to control the economic
and social resources of a country for development. The main characteristics of good governance are participation, rule of law,

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 The Social Science Review A Multidisciplinary Journal. November-December, 2024. Vol. 2. Issue 6. 84-87
Published by: Pather Dabi Educational Trust, (Regn No: IV-1402-00064/2023), Under Govt. of West Bengal, India

transparency, responsiveness, consensus-oriented, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency, and accountability.
Right to Information Act is a best example of good governance initiatives in India.
4. E-Governance: The concept of e-Governance was created as a result of the use of information and communication
technologies in the governance process. E-Governance, also known as electronic governance, is a contemporary initiative to
increase the accountability and transparency of the governing process. Its objective is to utilize technology for the benefit of
society as a whole. This system uses internet services to ensure service delivery to the public at the lowest possible cost, effort,
and time. Furthermore, it guarantees the effectiveness of public authorities at all planning levels and a strong bond between the
state and civil society. The concept of e-governance some time called as the “service oriented” governance. E-governance has
four levels to make service available includes 1) government to citizens, 2) government to business, 3) government to
government, and 4) government to employee. Digital India initiative is a good example of e-governance.
5. Corporate Governance: Corporate governance is a term that is frequently used in boardroom discussions today. A set of
guidelines or a code of behaviour for the business world is known as corporate governance. The government can control
corporate companies through corporate governance. In order to conduct business in a certain state or area, every corporation is
required to abide by certain regulations or codes of conduct. One of the best examples of corporate governance is Tata Group.
6. Environmental Governance: Environmental governance explains how international environmental rules, environmental
science and information development, and sustainable development and implementation strategies in line with national policy
can be implemented. Environmental governance regulates the management of the environment and natural resources to ensure
sustainable development as well as appropriate resource utilization. The laws, policies, process, practice and the institutions
that effects how human beings interact with their environment are call as environmental governance.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states that “Environmental governance is a key driver for the
achievement of sustainable development.” To do so, complete the following three initiatives which includes (1) Coherent
international decision-making processes; (2) Sufficient capacities for agreed objectives and national environmental priorities
through adequate legal and institutional measures; and (3) Integration of environmental sustainability in development at
regional, sub-regional and national levels.
Characteristics of Governance: There are eight important characteristics of governance which are as followings:
1. Participation: The main characteristic of governance is the participation of the people. People are not only beneficiaries of
governance but it is also the mediator of it. Participation means engagement of section of society, men, women as well as
people belonging to different kind of social groups, marginalised groups and having their voice in decision making process, it
may be directly or indirectly through organizations that represent their interests.
2. Predictability: Predictability means to the existence of the laws, regulations and policies to regulate society and their
consistent application for the welfare of the people. The rule of law refers legal frameworks which cover both well defined
rights and duties and mechanisms for enforcing them and settle them in an impartial manner.
3. Accountability: Accountability means that those who rules are answerable to those from whom they get their authority. It
also means establishing standard criteria for judging the performance of elected officials engaged in particular authority.
4. Transparency: Transparency means to the availability of information to the common people and make clarity about
government rules and regulation and decisions. Transparency can be done through enforcing right to information (RTI).
Transparency is based on the free flow of information.
5. Responsiveness: Responsiveness means that the institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders. If the institutions at
different levels are not responding to the different stakeholders, it means that the concern institutions are not responsive.
6. Consensus Orientation: Consensus orientation means mediation of different interest to reach a broad consensus on what is
in the best interests of the group and where possible, on policies and procedures.
7. Equity: Equity refers to giving equal opportunity to all stakeholders in the various activities and undertaken by the
organization. Equity also means that, all sections of the society have opportunities to progress their well being for their
development.
8. Effectiveness and Efficiency: Effectiveness and efficiency means processes and institutions produce results that make the
best use of resources at the disposal of the implementing agency.
Conclusion
From the above discussion it is clear that, the concept of governance not a new. As we know that the World Bank was first
time used the term ‘crisis of governance ‘in Africa in the year 1989. Since then the word governance has been got popularised
throughout the world. The concept has widely used by political scientist in the field of political science especially in public

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 The Social Science Review A Multidisciplinary Journal. November-December, 2024. Vol. 2. Issue 6. 84-87
Published by: Pather Dabi Educational Trust, (Regn No: IV-1402-00064/2023), Under Govt. of West Bengal, India

administration and development studies. From ancient period to contemporary period has broadening the meaning of
governance, not only in governmental sector but also in civil society. Today, governance has includes in three sectors like the
public sector (state actors and institutions), the private sector (households and companies) and the civil society (non-
governmental organisations). All these three sectors are working hand in hand in the process of governance.

Acknowledgement: No
Authors Contribution: Firdous Rahaman: Data Collection, Literature Review, Methodology, Analysis, Drafting, Referencing
Funding: No funding.
Declarations/Consent for Publication: Not Applicable.
Competing Interest: No

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