Governance, Development and Aid Effectiveness: A Quick Guide to Complex Relationships

ODI Briefing Paper_mar06_governance.pdf 89.92 KB

The relationship between governance and development has risen up the international policy agenda.  There is widespread agreement that governance matters - intrinsically and for improvements in economic and social outcomes. But what exactly is ‘good governance’? In what ways and why does governance vary among countries? When, why and how do governance issues make a difference to the way countries develop? What are the priorities for poor countries? Why does governance matter for aid effectiveness and what can donors do?

 

These are not easy questions to answer, but they are crucial to whether developing countries make economic progress and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This Briefing Paper provides a synthesis of thinking on governance, development and aid effectiveness. The paper is based on an ongoing programme of governance research, advisory work and training. It particularly draws on the findings of Making Sense of Governance a recent book that includes an extensive review of the literature, conceptual development and comprehensive empirical governance assessments in 16 countries: Argentina, Bulgaria, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, The Philippines, Russia, Tanzania, Thailand and Togo.

 

This and other ODI Briefing Papers are available from ODI's website at www.odi.org.uk

 

 

Website (URL): http://www.odi.org.uk

Author(s): Oversesas Development Institute