The role of transnational civil society in promoting transparency and accountability in global governance

The term “governance” refers to the qualities, rather than the forms, of government. Its components include well-constructed mechanisms by which governments are accountable to, listen to and are fair with their citizens, as well as being efficient, honest and cost-effective. None of this is possible unless governments are transparent – informing citizens about all manner of activities and choices, not just what they want them to hear. It also requires a commitment to democracy in its broadest sense, i.e. to the notion that citizens – directly or indirectly – should be at the heart of decision-making over issues that affect them (though governments disagree about the range and scope of such issues). Hence centrally planned regimes such as China and Viet Nam have, in recent years, given a great deal of attention to democracy and accountability at the decentralized level (though for them, national democracy writ large remains an anathema).

Related Subject(s): Democracy and Governance