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Making the State Work Successfully: Governance and Public Management

Emanuel Bell

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Published in Swiss Public Administration: Making The State Work Successfully (Governance And Public Management)

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Governance and public management are fundamental pillars of a well-functioning state. They encompass the principles, practices, and institutions that guide how governments operate and deliver public services to citizens. Effective governance and public management are essential for enhancing state effectiveness, promoting accountability, and fostering citizen trust in public institutions.

Swiss Public Administration: Making the State Work Successfully (Governance and Public Management)

by Thomas Faist

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9348 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	413 pages

Principles of Good Governance

Good governance is characterized by several core principles:

Accountability: Governments should be held accountable to citizens for their actions and decisions.
Transparency: Public institutions should operate in an open and transparent manner, providing citizens with access to information about their activities.
Citizen Participation: Citizens should have opportunities to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Rule of Law: Governments should adhere to the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens.
Responsiveness: Public institutions should be responsive to the needs and concerns of citizens.
Equity: Public policies and services should promote equity and social justice for all.

Challenges in Governance

Governance faces several challenges, including:

Corruption: Corruption undermines public trust and hinders effective governance.
Inefficiency: Public institutions may struggle with inefficiency, leading to waste and poor service delivery.
Lack of Accountability: Governments may fail to hold themselves accountable to citizens, leading to a lack of trust and legitimacy.
Political Interference: Political interference can hinder independent decision-making and undermine the effectiveness of public administration.

Principles of Public Management

Effective public management is essential for realizing the goals of good governance. Key principles of public management include:

Strategic Planning: Public organizations should develop strategic plans that align their activities with the priorities of government and citizens.
Performance Management: Governments should establish performance measurement systems to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of public programs.
Customer Focus: Public institutions should adopt a customer-centric approach, focusing on delivering high-quality services that meet the needs of citizens.
Innovation: Public managers should embrace innovation to find new and improved ways of delivering public services.
Collaboration: Public organizations should collaborate with other stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

Challenges in Public Management

Public management faces several challenges, including:

Bureaucracy: Public institutions can become bureaucratic and slow-moving, hindering efficiency and innovation.
Resource Constraints: Governments often operate with limited financial and human resources, which can pose challenges to service delivery.
Political Pressure: Public managers may face political pressure to make decisions that favor certain groups or ideologies.
Lack of Accountability: Public managers may not be sufficiently accountable for their actions, leading to a decline in public trust.

Best Practices for Effective Governance and Public Management

To achieve effective governance and public management, governments and public organizations can adopt several best practices:

Promote Transparency and Accountability: Implement mechanisms for public access to information, citizen oversight, and independent auditing.
Foster Citizen Participation: Provide opportunities for citizens to participate in decision-making, policy consultation, and public scrutiny.
Strengthen the Rule of Law: Ensure that laws and regulations are upheld and that public institutions operate in a legal and ethical manner.
Develop Strategic Planning and Performance Management Systems: Establish clear goals, objectives, and performance indicators to guide public administration and assess its effectiveness.
Adopt a Customer-Centric Approach: Focus on delivering high-quality public services that meet the needs and expectations of citizens.
Encourage Collaboration and Innovation: Foster partnerships with stakeholders and embrace innovative practices to improve service delivery and solve complex public problems.
Promote Ethical Conduct: Establish and enforce codes of conduct that promote integrity and accountability among public officials.

Effective governance and public management are essential for building a successful state that serves its citizens well. By adhering to principles of good governance, public management, and adopting best practices, governments can enhance accountability, transparency, citizen participation, and the overall effectiveness of public administration. This leads to increased trust in public institutions, improved service delivery, and a more responsive and inclusive society.

Swiss Public Administration: Making the State Work Successfully (Governance and Public Management)

by Thomas Faist

5 out of 5