Building Democratic Institutions: Governance Reform in Developing Countries

by G. Shabbir Cheema

Overview

In the literature on globalization, democratization, and development, there are frequent exhortations to promote "good governance," but it is not always clear just what comprises "good governance." Cheema (Principal Adviser on Governance, Division for Public Administration and Development Management, United Nations) here lays out the attributes of democratic governance and points to cases of good practice. He further seeks to identify conditions that make good governance possible. He presents chapters on elections, combating corruption, strengthening parliamentary process, promoting human rights, decentralizing politics, public sector management capacity, judicial reform, and governance in crisis situations. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781565491984
Publisher:	Kumarian Press, Inc.
Publication date:	03/28/2005
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.84(d)

About the Author

G. Shabbir Cheema is Principal Adviser on Governance, Division for Public Administration and Development Management, United Nations. He is also visiting Fellow, The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovations, Harvard University. As a senior UN official for the past 15 years, including six years as the Director of Governance Division of UNDP, he provided leadership in crafting democratic governance and public administration programs at the country level. He also designed global research and training programs in electoral and parliamentary systems, human rights, transparency and accountability of government, urban management and decentralization.
Dr. Cheema has authored and edited eight books and numerous book chapters and journal articles on governance and public administration. His books include Reinventing Government for the Twenty First Century: State Capacity in a Globalizing Society, co-editor (Kumarian Press 2003); Urban Shelter and Services: Public Policies and Management Approaches, author (Praeger 1987); and Decentralization and Development: Policy Implementation in Developing Countries, co-editor (Sage Publications 1984).

Table of Contents

1) Democracy, Governance and Development; 2) Elections and Democracy; 3) Integrity in Governance — Combating Corruption; 4) Strengthening Parliamentary Process; 5) Promoting Human Rights Through Inclusive Democracy; 6) Democracy at the Grassroots Through Decentralization; 7) Globalization and Public Sector Management Capacity; 8) Judicial Reform — Improving Access to Justice; 9) Governance in Crisis Situations; 10) Sustaining Democracy — Contextual Factors

Editorial Reviews

"This book lays out a compelling argument about how the basic ingredients of democracy provide a basis for better governance in developing countries. In bringing democratic theory and practice to bear on important questions of governance, Cheema demonstrates how development outcomes can be enhanced even when there are significant contextual differences among countries."

"A remarkable, lucid, and thorough overview by one of the world's leading governance experts! Cheema shows why and how governance matters in an era of globalization. This is a book that should be of interest to both students and practitioners in the development field."

"In this indispensable guide, Shabbir Cheema masters the democratic piece of the developmental puzzle based upon years of field experience in developing countries; it is a sharp analysis of what it takes to create a stable democracy in an era of traumatic globalization."

"This useful volume provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges of establishing and strengthening democracy in developing countries. The author draws on numerous practical examples and proceeds through a wealth of material in a balanced, clear fashion."

From the Publisher