I. The Meaning of Good Governance:

1. In order to understand the concept of good governance we shall have first to know the meaning of governance. What is governance? It has been defined as the use of power and authority by those in government to provide goods and services to the people, to uphold the common good and fulfil the aspirations and needs of the common men.

2. Governance, therefore, is concerned with power, strategies, policies, plans and projects that aim at improving the substance or quality of life.

3. The people expect their government to proceed with its tasks in a way that maximum results follow with minimum cost or investment.Governance becomes good when the decisions and actions of the government are based on peoples' consent,legitimacy and accountability.

4. Thus good governance is concerned with high quality in governance. All sections of the society today judge their government by their governance.

5. Earlier coercive state was considered to be most effective instrument of good governance. In ancient and mediaeval India a king, though authoritarian, was supposed to be conscientious and responsive to the needs of the subjects.

II. Concept of the Good Governance: 

1. In modern times, good governance implies enlightened citizenship as well as accountable and Constitutional government. Good governance is also a key developmental concept today. The debate only relates to the question of how to bring about development. It is a concept that is inclusive and positive in nature.

2. It is inclusive in so far as it aims at involvement of people in the process of development. Thus development is not merely people-oriented but people centred.

3. It is positive to the extent of building up new levels of skills, knowledge and support for development. Let us now discuss some of the features or characteristics of good.governance.