CITIZENS AND

GOVERNANCE
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1.Describe the nature of
citizen’s role in governance
2.Identify the conditions or
criteria that allow greater
citizen involvement
3.Describe strategies for
enhancing citizen’s role in
governance
Linking Democracy and
Human Development
Building Good Governance:
Another Framework
Citizens want increased
•

accountability and
responsiveness from
government, as well as greater
decentralization.
Accountability - Decision-makers in
•

government, the private sector and civil

society organizations are accountable to the
public, as well as to institutional
stakeholders.

•
This accountability differs depending on the
organization and whether the decision is
internal or external to an organization.
Responsiveness -
Institutions and
processes try to serve all
stakeholders
CRITERIA FOR CITIZENS IN
GOVERNANCE
 Freedom of Expression.
How rules affect people’s opportunities to
seek, receive, and impart information in
public. It is reflective of the content of
Article 19 in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (UDHR), which emphasizes the
importance of decency in the way citizens are
treated by the state.

To what extent do citizens have the

freedom of expression?
 Freedom of Assembly
The extent to which citizens can form and belong
to associations of their choice, reflecting in this
case the content of Article 20 of the UDHR,
which highlights the importance of citizen
participation in public life.

To what degree do citizens have the

freedom of peaceful assembly and
association?
Freedom from Discrimination.
The level of tolerance between
individuals and groups in society. It
reflects most closely Article 2 of the
UDHR, which emphasizes fairness in the
way state and society interact as well as
how citizens treat each other.

To what extent is there

discrimination in politics?
 Input into Policy-making.
The extent to which government engages in
consultation with citizens on public issues.
The ability to influence policy is a key
measure of success for organized activities
in this arena and it relates to how efficient it is
in performing its role of articulating interests
and demands.

To what extent does government

facilitate public discussion on shifts
in policy?
Respect for Rules.
The extent to which citizens respect the rules
that are necessary for the achievement of
public order and stable government. It relates
to the sense of obligation to the public
realm that citizens have and, therefore, their
accountability to the state.

To what extent do citizens

respect the system of rules affecting
their participation in public life?
STRATEGIES FOR STRENGTHENING CITIZEN
PARTICIPATION
 COMMENTS/REACTIONS

As a citizen of your country, how

do you perceive your role in
governance and how do you rate
the freedom you now enjoy?