Asia Pacific Governance

FALL 2008
2nd Quarter
FELLIZAR, F.JR.P. , BSF; MSF; MPA; DPA
 COURSE OBJECTIVES
1) Describe the nature, elements, principles and
attributes of good governance
2) Explain the role of governance in promoting the
sustainable development of Asia Pacific
Region
3) Identify strategies for enhancing governance in
the Region
4) Describe the skills and abilities needed by
professionals involved in governance process
and activities
 STANDARDS FOR COURSE
COMPLETION
1) Passing summative examination
2) Submission of one terminal report
3) Individual Class presentation
4) Participation in class discussions
TEACHING METHODS

1) Lecture-discussion
2) Role playing
3) Class presentations
 COURSE OUTLINE/OVERVIEW

Part One -Introduction

Session 1 - Governance and Sustainable

Development.

Discussion on the role of governance in the development of

the AP Region.
Why is governance a critical element in the sustainable
development of the region?
What are the governance and development issues in the AP
region?
‘Good governance is perhaps the
single most important factor in
eradicating poverty and
promoting development.’
UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, 1998
‘Of all the ills that kill the
poor, none is as lethal as bad
government.’
The Economist, 1999
‘The issue of good governance and
capacity-building is what we
believe lies at the core of all of
Africa’s problems.’
Commission for Africa, 2005
‘There is no excuse for any country, no
matter how poor, to abuse its citizens,
deny them equal protection of the law or
leave them victims of corruption,
mismanagement or economic
irrationality.’
UN Millennium Project, 2005
‘Without progress in
governance, all other reforms
will have limited impact.’
Commission for Africa, 2005
The relationship between governance and
development has risen up in the international
policy agenda.

There is widespread agreement that

governance matters - intrinsically and for
improvements in economic and social
outcomes
GOVERNANCE AND GROWTH NEXUS

Do governance and growth go together?

Composite measures of Quality
Governance (Huther and Shah 1998)

Economic management
Income distribution
Human development
Absence of corruption
Bureaucratic efficiency
Judicial efficiency
Political stability
Political freedom
ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNANCE

Right- sizing bureaucracy

Performance management : Civil

Service

Alternative Delivery System

 ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE
•Economic Management and Growth
Fiscal policy (debt-GDP ratio)
Monetary policy (central bank independence)
Trade policy (outward orientation)
•Revenue Generation
•Social Spending
•Access to services
•Cost of doing business
•Corporate Governance
 POLITICAL GOVERNANCE

•Rule of law and Judicial independence

•Conflict management

•Voice and Participation

 Part Two -Understanding
Governance

Session 2 - Perspectives on Governance

Lecture-discussion on the nature, elements,

principles and theoretical framework of governance.

Attributes of good governance will be highlighted.

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?
 Session 3 - Globalization and Governance.

Governance is influenced by globalization

and to some extent globalization is likewise
affected by the nature and dynamics of
governance.

How governance and globalization can be

harmonized and the issues arising from such
interaction will be discussed.
 Part Three- Governance
Actors
Session 4 -Public Sector in Governance

This lecture discussion will focus on the nature of

public sector and its administration; the central role
of governments in governance and their exercise of
legitimacy, power and authority to effect meaningful
development.
 Session 5 - Citizens in Governance

Discussion will revolve around the nature and

dynamics of government-citizen relations and
how these influence governance.
 Session 6 - Business in Governance

The role of the business sector in governance

is steadily growing and is becoming more
pronounced.

Understanding the significant contribution of

the private sector in governance and the
general attitude of the public sector is
imperative
 Session 6 - Civil Society in Governance

The role of NGOs, people’s organization and

professional groups has been increasingly
recognized as potent force in shaping the
development of the region and thereby influences
governance initiatives.

The nature of civil society, roles and contributions to

good governance will be discussed as well as the
problems and difficulties encountered in their
interface with other governance actors.
 Session 7 - Regional and
International Organizations in
Governance

Regional and international organizations’ sphere of

influence is growing in terms of determining the
direction and shape of development in the region.

Issues of compliance, conflicting priorities, loyalties,

absorptive capacity and obligations are interesting
discussion areas relevant to governance in the
region.
Session 8 - Mid-term Examination
Part Four - Governance Processes, Competence
and Mechanisms

Session 9 - Goal-setting and Decision-making

Governance as “steering” basically involves

goal-setting and decision-making which are
expected to be done in a most participatory
and democratic process employing appropriate
structures and mechanisms.
Discussion will focus on the nature, dynamics,
and structure of goal-setting and decision-
making.
 Session 10 - Decentralization/Devolution

“Global forces and local voices” - balancing this

growing concern lies at the core of governance in
the region.

The growing trend towards local empowerment and

autonomy poses a challenge to governance in the
context of globalizing economy and thus offers
opportunity for lively discussions and reflections.
 Session 11 - Leadership, Mediation and
Conflict Resolution
Governance largely depends on effective
leadership. Critical functions of leadership
with respect to governance include among
others negotiation, mediation and conflict
resolution between and among actors and
stakeholders.

Discussion will center on these issues using

selected cases and possibly role-playing
exercises.
Part Five - Emerging Trends and Challenges
for Governance in Asia Pacific
Session 12- International Governance and
E-Governance

International governance is a growing phenomenon,

given the forces of globalization and the prevalence
of resulting trans-border/trans-boundary issues in
the region. Another relevant and emerging trend is
the promotion of e-governance for greater
effectiveness. The evolution of e-governance and
the trend towards international governance will be
discussed in this section.
 Session 13 - Re-shaping and Enhancing
Governance in the AP Region

In the light of lessons gained from the previous

sessions, group presentations will be done with the
view of exploring possible strategies for enhancing
governance in the region.

Emphasis will be given to either in-country concerns

or to the regions as a whole. This exercise will
measure the students’ understanding of the issues,
principles and strategies presented in the course.
Session 14 – Second Examination/Paper
Submission
 METHOD OF GRADE EVALUATION

Participation and Presentation - 20%

Examination - 50 %
Terminal Report- 30%
E-MAIL: junpfell@apu.ac.jp Or,
junpf1201@yahoo.com

FTP: junpfell

Room No. 514, Faculty Building B