Elements of Governance

ADB further clarifies its concept of governance by identifying four elements. These are:

Accountability
Participation
Predictability
Transparency

The underlying concepts are discussed at length in ADB's publication on Sound Development Management. Here is a quick introduction to these elements.

1. Accountability

Public officials must be answerable for government behavior, and responsive to the entity from which their authority is derived.

ADB's efforts towards promoting accountability in governments build the capacity to undertake economic reforms, implement them successfully, and provide citizens with an acceptable level of public services. Criteria are established to measure the performance of public officials, and oversight mechanisms set up to make sure the standards are met.

2. Participation

Participation refers to the involvement of citizens in the development process. Beneficiaries and groups affected by the project need to participate so that the government can make informed choices with respect to their needs, and social groups can protect their rights.

ADB promotes participation in governments by

Encouraging the participation of project beneficiaries and affected groups
Improving the interface between the public and private sectors
Empowering local government by letting them take ownership of the project
Using NGOs as vehicles for mobilizing and reaching project beneficiaries

3. Predictability

A country's legal environment must be conducive to development. A government must be able to regulate itself via laws, regulations and policies, which encompass well-defined rights and duties, mechanisms for their enforcement, and impartial settlement of disputes. Predictability is about the fair and consistent application of these laws and implementation of government policies.

4. Transparency

Transparency refers to the availability of information to the general public and clarity about government rules, regulations, and decisions. It can be strengthened through the citizens´ right to information with a degree of legal enforceability. Transparency in government decision-making and public policy implementation reduces uncertainty and can help inhibit corruption among public officials.