Democratic System Is Pre-Requisite For Good Governance And Human Development

By LALIT BAHADUR BASNET

Human Development-Human development is the basic thrust of any political system in the world and the ultimate goal of any kind of development is the human development; that means to build human capabilities and enlarge human choices to create safe and secure environment where citizens can live with dignity and equality.

The basic concept of human development is that people are at the center of all governance policies, strategies and actions. The basic perception of human development is to improve the capabilities and expand the opportunities of all people, irrespective of class, caste, gender and ethnicity. It concerns, generally, widening the range of choices for people, to pursue - economic, social, cultural and political wish and enabling them to live in dignity. Human development is reflected in a person's ability to lead a long and healthy life, to obtain education, to have control over key resources, to engage in productive employment of his or her choice and to participate effectively in the activities of community and the state. It emphasizes personal security, sustainability, environment preservation, social integration and guaranteed human rights. In short, the basic spirit of human development is the freedom of person to make choices that lead towards the life of one’s choosing without threat or intimidation, which is only guaranteed in democratic political system, as propounded by well-known economist and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen. It is the process of enlarging people’s choices by expanding human functioning and capabilities. Thus, human development is like what the great American president Abraham Lincoln had once said about democracy - of the people, for the people and by the people. To promote human development, the governance has to be not just pro-people or people centered, it has to be owned or realized by the people. The people have to shape their own governance on their choices. Thus, following questions should be addressed to enhance human development, otherwise it will be meaningless: -

i) Do people fully participate in governance?

ii) Are people fully informed?

iii) Can they hold the decision makers accountable?

iv) Are women equal partners with men in governance?

v) Are the needs of the poor and disadvantaged people met?

vi) Are all human rights guaranteed?

vii) Are the needs of future generations taken into account in current policies?

In short, do people own their structures of governance? Human development is not only achieving high rates of economic and social development or G.D.P but also demonstrating high rates of political involvement among their electorate.

Good Governance : Good governance is a culture of the state. It has to be cultivated by all the actors together. Human development and good governance are interlinked. Good governance ensures equitable access to resources without regard to gender, social class, ethnic or religious affiliation. It underlies the process of realizing real freedom and capabilities, along with subsequent achievements in poverty reduction and human development. The basic tenets and cardinal principles of good governance such as to guarantee basic human rights, citizen’s participation in policy making, accountability, responsibility, legitimacy, transparency, promotion of rule of law, equity consideration, efficiency in management of public resources, welfare state policy, open society, non discrimination, decentralization, peoples' participations - are well enshrined in our Nepalese Constitution -1990. The basic concept of good governance is that every citizen should have the right to participate in the decision-making processes that shape their lives. But the exact model of good governance is for the individual country to decide for itself to suit its background, needs, and the state of development and future goal. The hallmark of democratic good governance is its ability to secure freedom from discrimination, want, injustice, and fear. Without good governance human development cannot be achieved. Good governance is the means and human development is the end.

Challenges : The challenges of human development in South Asia has continued over the last few year against a backdrop of rapid political change, large scale natural disasters, expanding nuclear capabilities, terrorist activities and global economic slow down. As consequences of these events, we are facing greater poverty with worsening nutritional, health, and educational outcomes. Especially South Asian Region has faced the pernicious evils- endemic corruption, social exclusions, inefficient civil service, which ultimately affect human development. In some countries of South Asia , great violations of human rights have threatened the right to life of people - ultimately affecting the human development. Freedom and economic development should go together and only then sustainable human development could be achieved.

Efforts: Human development is not attained only by economic progress of people. It requires effective participation of people in the affairs of the state. So, democratic political process or system and, freedoms are very much necessary to enhance human development. In South Asian states, democracy is fast turning into an empty ritual. People continuously feel excluded from larger political process through which decisions that directly affect their livelihoods are taken. Political democracy has taken root, but distance between the rulers and people remains vast. So to provide good governance and enhance the human development, we should reform our democratic political process that should be not only people-centered but should also be owned by people. The basic freedom of human being and guarantee of human rights are the pre-requirements for human development. So we should be guaranteed human rights and freedom of people. We should not forget that without self-governance, we can not provide good governance. So self-governance is pre-requisite of good governance and human development. In the name of security and stability, no one can undermine the democratic system. Recently, Secretary of State of U.S.A Condoleeza Rice said: "for 60 years, the United States pursued stability at the expense of democracy in Middle East region and we achieved neither," adding "Now we are taking a different course - supporting the democratic aspiration of all people". So democratic process is the only best way to provide good governance and enhance human development.

(The writer is Constitutional lawyer. He has done L.L.M. in Constitution Law)