| What is “governance”? |
¿What is governance? |
| The term governance often gives rise to confusion because it is (erroneously) assumed that it must refer solely to acts or duties of the government. |
The term governance is often misleading because it is (wrongly) assumed to refer only to acts or duties of government. |
| Of course, governments do play an important role in many kinds of governance. |
Of course, governments play an important role in many types of governance. |
| However, in fact, the concept is far broader, and extends beyond merely the State. |
However, in fact, the concept is much broader and extends beyond the mere state. |
| For example, we have seen increasing reference recently to the notion of “corporate governance”, a process that involves oversight both by the State and by a host of non-State bodies, including corporations themselves. |
For example, we have seen increasing reference to the notion of “corporate governance,” a process that involves oversight both by the state and by a number of non-state bodies, including companies themselves. |
| Don McLean points out that the word governance derives from the Latin word “gubernare”, which refers to the action of steering a ship. |
Don McLean points out that the word governance derives from the Latin word "governmental", which refers to the act of piloting a ship. |
| This etymology suggests a broader definition for governance. |
This etymology suggests a broader definition of governance. |
| One important implication of this broader view is that governance includes multiple tools and mechanisms. |
An important implication of this broader view is that governance includes multiple tools and mechanisms. |
| Traditional law and policy are certainly among those mechanisms. |
Traditional law and politics are certainly among those mechanisms. |
| However, as we shall see throughout this primer, governance can take place through many other channels. |
However, as we will see throughout this manual, governance can take place through many other channels. |
| Technology, social norms, decision-making procedures, and institutional design: all of these are as equally important in governance as law or policy. |
Technology, social norms, decision-making procedures, and institutional design - these are all as important in governance as law or politics. |
