Quality of Government: Toward a More Complex Definition

2013 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARCUS AGNAFORS

Concepts such as “quality of government” and “good governance” refer to a desired character of the exercise of public authority. Recently the interest in good governance, the quality of government, and similar concepts has increased considerably. However, despite this increasing interest and use, an adequate definition of the concept of quality of government has proved difficult to find. This article criticizes recent attempts at such a definition and proposes an alternative, more complex definition that includes moral content and also encompasses a plurality of values and virtues at its core. An acceptable definition of the quality of governance must be consistent with the demands of a public ethos, the virtues of good decision making and reason giving, the rule of law, efficiency, stability, and a principle of beneficence. The article describes these components in detail and the relations among them.

Author(s):  
W. Andy Knight

This chapter examines the UN’s role in promoting and encouraging democracy and good governance. The world organizations is in a pivotal position to help promote and strengthen the global norm that posits that democracy validates the quality of governance today. In order to be considered ‘democratic,’ governments should not only hold periodic free and fair elections and demonstrate the ability to govern inclusively and humanely. In addition, they should also respect human rights and the rule of law. Concurrently, the chapter argues that the UN should practice what it preaches and address its own democratic deficit, even as it helps to strengthen democracy at the national level.


Author(s):  
Myriam Gicquello

This chapter assesses the introduction of artificial intelligence in international arbitration. The contention is that it would not only reinstate confidence in the arbitral system—from the perspective of the parties and the general public—and participate in the development of the rule of law, but also engage with broader systemic considerations in enhancing its legitimacy, fairness, and efficiency. Yet, before addressing the why, what, and how of this proposition, a definition of artificial intelligence is warranted. It should be noted at the outset that this concept has a variety of meanings. Despite the lack of consensus on its meaning, the chapter will thus treat artificial intelligence as encompassing both semi-autonomous and autonomous computer systems dedicated to assisting or replacing human beings in decision-making tasks. It presents the conclusions of two extensive research programs respectively dealing with the performance of statistical models and naturalistic decision-making. From that behavioural analysis, the introduction of artificial intelligence in international arbitration be discussed against the general considerations of international adjudication and the specific goals pertaining to international arbitration.


Author(s):  
Larysa Trofimova

In the article the author proposes problem solving ways of qualification assessment of judges based on the results of her own theoreticalresearch, discloses separate issues of quality of qualification assessment during the confirmation of judge’s compliance withthe position (applicant for the position) from case file research and conducting interviews by members of the High qualification commissionof judges of Ukraine based on provisions of the current legislation of Ukraine and law enforcement.Statistical observations, scientific research and expert studies, case law reveal not only the need to update the judiciary, but alsoto eliminate excessive and unjustified formalism, subjectivity in the exercise of authority to provide quality services, administrative proceduresto ensure the true quality of qualification assessment, compliance / non-compliance of a judge (applicant for the position) withthe criteria of professional competence, ethics and integrity.Legal policy, value system, tendency towards law and order, the human dignity, the protection of individual rights should be abenchmark in uniting the efforts of all members of society to establish the rule of law, ensure the functioning of an independent judiciaryand good governance, build an independent judiciary, the realization of equal opportunities for personal development, as well as theoptimal use of public resources in line with the goal of public policy – the establishment of the rule of law in Ukraine, the purpose ofthe budget program – ensuring the rule of law and protection of human rights and freedoms through the formation of a virtuous, highlyprofessional and independent judiciary.An important component of ensuring the quality of justice is timely and objective assessment of a judge’s competence, the effectivenessof training / maintenance of skills and the definition of professional skills, in particular on the basis of thorough analysis ofrevoked decisions and consideration of complaints, corrected mistakes, “template proceedings”, reasons for the formation of individualopinions in resolving disputes, taking into account the circumstances in connection with the departure from the preliminary conclusionsof the courts of cassation and compliance with procedural deadlines. Problems of subjective, selective approach, which are manifestedin different attitudes towards the participants of the qualification assessment, in order to confirm / not confirm the judge’s suitabilityfor the position and / or conduct competitions during the examination case files and conducting interviews by members of the Highqualification commission of judges of Ukraine, including on the different approach in responding to the conclusions and informationof the GRD with consideration in plenary (without plenary consideration), require further scientific analysis and improvement of legalregulation to prevent abuse of the right to equal opportunities, the right to be heard, the right to a fair trial, the right to quality judicialservices and administrative procedures with the implementation of the principles of good governance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Agata Barczewska-Dziobek

The idea of good governance is associated with the postulate of participatory and interactive democracy. This results in the appearance in the legal system of solutions reflecting the recommendations of the so-called "good administration." Good administration is the subjective right which, in the relationship between the body and the citizen, defines the individual's rights and the duties of the administration to act in a particular way. It may be interpreted differently, but it must comply with universal standards. They have been defined in international, European and soft law. These include the rule of law, equality, administrative transparency, confidence and trust, as well as the opportunity to participate in decisions. The last of these relates to procedures for involving citizens in administrative decision-making. The purpose of the article is to present normative solutions in Polish law that guarantee citizens participation in decision-making processes at various levels of administration and their systematics. To achieve this goal, the method of legal text analysis was used, which allows us to indicate the existence of many different mechanisms of participation. Their presence in Polish law determines the varying levels of civic influence on public decisions.


2021 ◽  
pp. e021113
Author(s):  
Valentyna Lukianets-Shakhova ◽  
Yuliia Buhaiko ◽  
Iryna Tsvigun ◽  
Kateryna Sokh ◽  
Myroslava Hnatyuk ◽  
...  

The article aims to study the role and importance of an expert and linguistic support of law drafting as a mean of improving the national legislation of Ukraine. The work is based on the application of descriptive, systematic, logical-legal, hermeneutic, statistical, comparative-legal methods of legal research and the method of alternatives. The research materials include normative legal acts regulating the activity of expert and linguistic support of lawmaking in Ukraine, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, and Poland. The circle of the main executors of expert and language support of lawmaking in the specified countries, for the definition of their efficiency according to the Rule of Law Index as an indicator of the quality of the legislation, is allocated. The nature of the influence of expert and linguistic support of lawmaking of the analyzed states and their Rule of Law Indices is established.


2020 ◽  
pp. 254-299
Author(s):  
Joseph Heath

Empirical study of administrative decision-making shows that the power exercised by public officials is only loosely controlled by statutory law. Political theorists have traditionally viewed this discretion quite negatively, as a violation either of the rule of law or the principle of democratic legitimacy. This chapter presents a defense of administrative discretion, on the grounds that it is not just inevitable; it makes an important contribution to the quality of public administration. Both legislative and judicial strategies to reduce administrative discretion have failed or had perverse consequences. The best approach to reducing the potential for abuse of power has been through the development of a “rule of law” culture within the executive branch.


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jørgen Møller ◽  
Svend-Erik Skaaning

During the latest decade, empirical research on the causes and consequences of the rule of law has expanded and, in the process, become extremely influential. However, we show that a number of widely used indices of the rule of law are not interchangeable. This lack of interchangeability is reflected in the fact that they are based on different defining attributes, to some extent cover distinct empirical scopes, do not correlate highly with each other, and support different explanatory factors. Until a consensus has been established with respect to the conceptualization of the rule of law, scholars are thus not free to opt for the measure that fits their data requirements best regarding spatial and/or temporal scope. Instead, they must carefully assess the content validity vis-à-vis their stipulated definition of the rule of law. Given the amount of money and time poured into the rule of law agenda, the problems identified reflect the lack of maturity of ‘good governance’ research.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Dr.Sc. Samet Dalipi

Peace building, as part of conflict resolution strategy, is challenged by several internal factors with socio-economic, political, governmental nature, and factors coming from outside the country and violent past under governance of ex Yugoslavia/Serbia. This process becomes more difficult by the transition from socialist to free economy.Kosovo independence undermines taking responsibilities by institutions on peace building perspective which will bring to the gradual reconciliation with neighbors, including Serbia. Growing authoritarian tendencies on decision making mechanisms chock already existing fragile democracy. Enhancing the rule of law and system of justice will create a good basement for elimination of corruption and increase the quality of governance as strengthening elements of the social peace and reconciliation between the communities inside Kosovo.                              Even that, Kosovo institutions have made huge efforts in building the state mechanisms in preparation for the country’s independence phase. Rise of care in the rule of law, legislation implementation, efforts for combating corruption as a major source of state vulnerability, democratic institution building, and economic development, will be the challenges faced Kosovo’s future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-104
Author(s):  
Rustam Magun Pikahulan

Abstract: The Plato's conception of the rule of law states that good governance is based on good law. The organization also spreads to the world of Supreme Court justices, the election caused a decadence to the institutional status of the House of Representatives as a people's representative in the government whose implementation was not in line with the decision of the Constitutional Court. Based on the decision of the Constitutional Court No.27/PUU-XI/2013 explains that the House of Representatives no longer has the authority to conduct due diligence and suitability (elect) to prospective Supreme Judges proposed by the Judicial Commission. The House of Representatives can only approve or disapprove candidates for Supreme Court Justices that have been submitted by the Judicial Commission. In addition, the proportion of proposed Supreme Court Justices from the judicial commission to the House of Representatives (DPR) has changed, whereas previously the Judicial Commission had to propose 3 (three) of each vacancy for the Justices, now it is only one of each vacant for Supreme Court Judges. by the Supreme Court. The House of Representatives no longer has the authority to conduct due diligence and suitability (elect) to prospective Supreme Judges proposed by the Judicial Commission. The House of Representatives can only "approve" or "disagree" the Supreme Judge candidates nominated by the Judicial Commission.


Author(s):  
Henk Addink

The pivotal aim of this book is to explain the creation, development, and impact of good governance from a conceptual, principal perspective and in the context of national administrative law. Three lines of reasoning have been worked out: developing the concept of good governance; specification of this concept by developing principles of good governance; and implementation of these principles of good governance on the national level. In this phase of further development of good governance, it is important to have a clear concept of good governance, presented in this book as the third cornerstone of a modern state, alongside the concepts of the rule of law and democracy. That is a rather new national administrative law perspective which is influenced by regional and international legal developments; thus, we can speak about good governance as a multilevel concept. But the question is: how is this concept of good governance further developed? Six principles of good governance (which in a narrower sense also qualify as principles of good administration) have been further specified in a systematic way, from a legal perspective. These are the principles of properness, transparency, participation, effectiveness, accountability, and human rights. Furthermore, the link has been made with integrity standards. The important developments of each of these principles are described on the national level in Europe, but also in countries outside Europe (such as Australia, Canada, and South Africa). This book gives a systematic comparison of the implementation of the principles of good governance between countries.


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