8 Essential Elements

1. Good
Governance
8 Essential Elements

2. Rule of Law
 TheUnited States is a good example of a
country that follows the “Rule of Law.”
We (mostly) follow laws because it’s the
right thing to do and we understand it will
make society a better and safer place—
not because we’re afraid of being
arrested or ticketed. People choose to
obey laws. We wait (versus cut) in line.
We stop at red lights. We don’t rob
people. Society is lawful.

3. Participation
 Society has ways to let citizens participate
without fear of retribution. We can vote.
We can write letters to the editor. We can
run for office. The average citizen has
ways to have his/her voice heard. Without
being able to exercise our constitutional
rights, we are more subjects that citizens.
Countries with good governance have
citizens. Countries with bad governance
have subjects.

4. Transparency
 Citizensknow what their government is
doing. There are no secrets. Meetings
are open to the press. The budget is
open for review. Sometimes national
security actions are classified as secret.
This is NOT transparency. However it can
be looked at as a positive or a negative:
positive because it increases national
security, negative because it can lead to
corruption.

5. Responsiveness
 The government hears the voice of the
people. One way we have this in many
of the united states is through the process
of referendum. If we don’t like a law that
is passed, we can sign a petition and put
the law up for a vote of the people.
President Obama’s website is an example
of this. You can post issues, and if enough
other people agree, the president will
respond.

6. Consensus Oriented
 The word “consensus” comes from the Latin
word that means “agreement.” In a
consensus oriented government, the
participants look for what is best for society—
not necessarily just what they want. They are
willing to compromise (remember “The Great
Compromise from U.S. History?) in order to be
able to have everyone come to an
agreement. Legislators that can’t come to a
consensus bring the government to a grinding
halt.

7. Equality and Inclusiveness
 The least powerful people in our country
are involved. Equality that excludes
certain groups (African Americans, Native
Americans, women) is false equality (as
when our U.S. Constitution was first
written). Only when ALL citizens are
treated equally and fairly do we have
equality and inclusiveness in our
government.

8. Effective and Efficient
 Among core government responsibilities are
defending the nation, protecting innocent
life, upholding laws and constitutional rights
and promoting equal opportunity. If a
government is not effective in doing these
things, it is not a good government. Efficiency
is also important. The government needs to
perform these duties in the best possible
manner with the least amount of waste
(time, effort, money) as possible.

9. Accountability
 When you are caught doing something
wrong, you’re accountable—no matter
who you are. Government officials are as
responsible for obeying the law as little
peons are. The President of the United
States cannot get away with a different
code of conduct than an ordinary citizen.
This is accountability. (It’s not perfect in
our country, but it’s pretty good.)