Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria
A Survey of Indices of Transparency and Accountability
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Foreword ..........................................................................................xi
Preface .............................................................................................xv
Acknowlegdement ..........................................................................xix
Dedication .....................................................................................xxi
Chapter 1: “Sham Democracy: The Menace To Good Governance In Nigeria” An Introduction ...3
Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework And Literature Review ................7
2.1. Introduction .....................................................................7
2.2. The Concept And Theory Of Governance ........................8
2.3. The Concept And Theory Of Democracy ........................9
2.4. The Commonalities Of Governance And Democracy.....10
2.5. The Dichotomy Of Governance And Democracy ...........12
2.6. The Rise Of Good Governance ......................................15
2.7. Participatory Governance And Participatory Democracy .....17
2.8. Of Governance, The Stress Test . . . . ..............................19
2.9. Conclusion .....................................................................20
Chapter 3: The State Of Democratic Governance In Nigeria .............. 22
3.1 The Point Of Departure To Democratic Governance In Nigeria: From Military To Democratic Government ............................................23
3.2 Transition To Power: Democratic Governance In Nigeria ........................................................................24
3.3 Democratic (Good) Governance: The Nigerian Experience .................................................26
3.4 Corruption And Governance: Nigeria’s Dilemma ............31
3.5 Conclusion: The Relevance Of Democratic Governance To Our Understanding Of Nigeria’s Governance Process .........................................................34
Chapter 4: The State And Quality Of Democracy In Nigeria: Any Deficits? ...........................................................36
4.1. The Link Between Democracy And Good Governance ...........................................................37
4.2. Corruption As A Means Of Exclusion ............................38
4.3. Impacts Of Democratic Deficit On National Development ....................................................43
4.4. Light At The End Of The Tunnel?..................................45
4.5. Conclusion .....................................................................46
Chapter 5: Conclusion ............................................................47
References .............................................................................51
Chapter 1: Governance And Good Governance ..............................61
1:1: Introduction ...................................................................61
1:2: The Emergence Of The Concept ....................................63
1:3: Connotations Of The Concept .......................................66
1:4: Good Governance And The Undp .................................71
1:5: Good Governance And The World Bank ........................72
1:6: Good Governance And The Prsps In Africa ....................75
1:7: Conclusion: Involving The Youths .................................78
References .......................................................................................80
Chapter 2: What Is Global Governance? Is There A Future For Global Governance? .................................................86
2:1: Abstract ..........................................................................86
2:2: Introduction ...................................................................87
2:3: Conceptualizing Global Governance ..............................88
2:4: The Problems Of Global Financial And Economic Governance ................91
2:5: The Crisis Of Legitimacy And Democratic Accountability .................................................................96
2:6: Conclusion .....................................................................98
References .....................................................................................100
Chapter 3: Democracy And Young People: ....................................103
3:1 Abstract .........................................................................103
3:2: Introduction .................................................................104
3:3: Shunning Convention? .................................................104
3:4: Informal Participation: An Alternative? ........................107
3:5: Direct Action ...............................................................107
3:6: Indirect Action .............................................................109
3:7: Political Awareness .......................................................110
3:8: The Common Thread: Dealignment, Not Disengagement ......................................................113
3:9: Conclusion ...................................................................115
References .....................................................................................116
Chapter 4: What Tools Are Available To Government In Promoting Governance Through Association? .....................118
4:1: Introduction .................................................................118
4:2: What Is Governance? ....................................................119
4:3: Governance Through Associations ................................120
4:4: Corporatism .................................................................123
4:5: Private Interest Governments .......................................124
4:6: Challenges Of Associative Governance .........................126
4:7: Governing Without Government .................................127
4:8: Tools Available To Government In Promoting Governance Through Association ................128
4:9: Conclusion ...................................................................132
References .....................................................................................134
Chapter 5: How Successful Has The New Public Management Been In Increasing The Effectiveness Of Welfare Services? ................................................................136
5:1: Abstract ........................................................................136
5:2: Introduction .................................................................137
5:3: The New Public Management: Theoretical Perspective ..................................................139
5:4: The Impact Of The New Public Management On Welfare States ..........................................................143
5:5: The New Public Management (NPM) And The National Health Service (NHS) ......................146
5:6: Conclusion ...................................................................152
References .....................................................................................154
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Over the last decades, the most striking changes made by the World Bank and other development institutions are their commitments to improve the quality of governance and most importantly fighting corruption and focusing more on the developing Countries. Driven by case studies that developmental deficiencies in the developing Countries are due to the crisis of governance (see—Khan, 2002); As a result of this, good governance and democracy became a very comparative and embracing ideal admired by most Countries in the World, and has grown rapidly to become a major concern in analysis of what is missing in Countries struggling for economic and political development—the developing Countries (Nigeria).
Although issues concerning governance failure and corruption vary within Country to Country; nevertheless, researchers have adopted the concept (Good Governance) as a means of enhancing development and exploring institutional failures (see—Grindle, 2010). The issue of good governance is now a major concern, and without good governance, arguably, the developing Countries (Nigeria) have little or no chance to progress. The two words again-democracy and governance—are interwoven in the framework that is the mechanism of political dialogue across the globe. In theory, this book will examine the relationship between democracy and good governance, by critically analyzing the concepts.
This book is divided into two sections—The first section of this book will attempt to pin down these concepts: democracy and good governance to their manifestations on ground, using Nigeria as a case study. It will be argued in this paper, that there is no doubt that the transition from military to democratic government in 1999, marked a new beginning of democratic governance in Nigeria. However, Nigeria’s democracy has remained unstable since the Country returned to democratic form of governance. The political terrain and governing procedures has been characterized by corruption. This first section will argue that corruption has undermined democracy and have had grave implications for good (democratic) governance in Nigeria. In comparison with theoretical arguments, this paper will argue that the Nigeria’s practical scenario ironically portray the theory, due to the menace of corruption.
In summary, this section will focus on corruption as a means of exclusion (deficit), and as a stumbling block in the development of Nigeria’s good (democratic) governance from a nominal to a practical one, and further conclude that the vast discrepancy between Nigeria’s nominal democracy and corrupt governance practices show that it is much easier to talk the talk, than it is to walk the walk. That is to say, good governance is easier to deliberate in theory, than to effect in practice, looking at the case of Nigeria. Nevertheless, with the few steps that have been taken in the last decade or so of democracy, and the unending and continuous efforts put forward by the present administration, one can expect further improvement in the years to come. The essays brought together in the second section of this book represent a selection of my further contribution to the continuing discussion about the position of public policy and governance in today’s world. It tackles issues concerning public administration, public policy—policy implementation, and governance around the globe.
About the Author
Obi Kelvin Ezenyili is a research student at the University of Manchester, Faculty of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, Department of Governance and Public Policy. Hails from Oko-Amakom, in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta—State, Nigeria. My personality was significantly shaped during my years at the university. I have developed analytical, communicative and organizational skills. Each lecture, seminar and examination sessions helped me develop my knowledge, enhance my perspective, allowing me to see more and clearer on today’s society by comparison with the past. More importantly, at this stage I began to naturally look for solutions to contemporary political and developmental problems ravaging the Developing Countries.
My academic background and interest are focused on eradicating corruption, with the aim to insatiate good governance strategies in practice in the Nigerian system, with a general foundation in the nature of public policy, the public workplace, its political and legal environment, and how to propound governance policies, and development strategies for the developing Countries. My research interest is focused on governance, democracy, public administration, public policy—issues, and their effects on development, and how it has enhanced or deprived good governance in the developing Countries (Nigeria).
My previous research fields were focused on democracy and governance, public policy and administrative issues. At Undergraduate level (Igbinedion University Okada, Nigeria), my research were focused on “Democracy and Fiscal Federalism”, case study: Niger-Delta, Nigeria. My First Masters level (University of York, Uk), my research was directed towards, “Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria: A Decade of Democratic Accountability (or Lack Thereof ).
My research, at Second Masters Level (University of Manchester, Uk) “Sham Democracy: The Menace to Good Governance in Nigeria”, is a case study carried-out as a result of the pitfalls of democratic governance in Nigeria, with critical analysis on how corruption has hindered democratic (good) governance, decline development and increased poverty. ‘The brain behind this book is as a result of the study, and ideas relating to my academic background, and the unending effort geared towards enhancing democratic (good) governance and economic development in Nigeria’.