Building trust in government in South Asia

Developing countries, especially in South Asia, face a constant dilemma of poor governance that has undermined the proficient and impartial delivery of public services and the efficient implementation of programs. This has contributed to political instability, increasing violence, the emergence of extremist groups, and declining citizen trust in government. This chapter examines the role of governments in South Asian countries in promoting good governance, participation, development, and security – four of the cornerstones of building trust in government. The first section describes the historical context of the role of state. This is followed by a discussion of governance practice in South Asia and its impact on building trust. The last three sections examine the participation, development, and security performance of the countries in the region.

Related Subject(s): Democracy and Governance