Good governance for corruption free society

Transparency is very important term used in good governance. What is transparency? How does transparency take root in society? To create awareness among the public about the activities of the government is the basic element of transparency.

Transparency is essentially "comprehensive and sincere openness". A society that is transparent is one that has created the conditions necessary for its members to participate effectively in its public administration. Transparency may be applied to all aspects of politics, economics, business, and social and cultural life. Transparency may arise only in a just society which respects human rights, honours democratic principles, justice and morality. The absence of transparency results in widespread detriments to society, such as inequitable resource allocation, injustice, and an ineffective rule of law that leads to corrupt practices and oppression of the community. Transparency and responsibility are the core of good governance. Without them, the door is open to widespread corruption and embezzlement of public funds.

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What should be done to promote transparency?
An important factor for transparency in a society is the dissemination and receipt of accurate information. For the effective provision of information, leaders should promote publication and distribution of all draft budgets with projected taxes, income, revenue and public expenses, and publicise the mandates, rules and procedures of all executive institutions. Officials at all levels should permit the people receive this information unconditionally.

"Transparency is built on the free flow of information, i.e. enough information to determine responsibility for failure, incompetence, and deceit." In addition, national leaders and government officials at all levels must open up and encourage independent inspection agencies to audit and control their finances. If not, the society cannot be considered to be "clean", the economic benefits will not reach the people, and there will be more corruption. "When a few top officials have access to unaudited funds, the risk of corruption or the perception of corruption arises, even if these funds are used only for genuine security ...".

Transparency may only exist in a society that provides the people with complete freedom of expression and of the press. The voices of the people and the media are of prime importance for transparency in society since they are factors that can push state and public institutions to accept responsibility for their functioning. For a free people, the media can be a very efficient watchdog on the affairs of the state.

These are the conditions for the promotion of transparency that the nation's leaders must follow. According to research, two approaches have been proposed: 1) the creation of training programmes that help people to understand the concept of the legitimacy of government; to understand the nature of public affairs; and to understand the responsibility of the government to the public; and 2) that the government should honestly strive to understand in detail the needs and concerns of the people and should hasten to solve and problems justly and equitably.

The government must also ensure that the law protects the right to exercise freedom of expression, and that criticism or expression of unpopular opinions are not punished.

Good governance and accountability
What I have described about good governance and transparency is perhaps easy to grasp and understand in theory, but it is obviously complicated to put into practice due to culture, and political and economic and social factors.

Accountability is another component of good governance. It is the mechanism by which public power is checked and directed towards the achievement of broadly defined national goals with "the greatest degree of efficiency, effectiveness, integrity, and prudence". In a parliamentary democracy like Bangladesh. It is the role of parliament and to a lesser extent the member organisations of the civil society, to call the leaders and the rulers to account for their actions. An inherent strength of the parliamentary system is that it locates responsibility in a small, readily identifiable group -- the Cabinet -- which is held directly accountable by parliament.

Accountability aims to inform the public about the reasons why government action is done, and to explain how it must be done, so that the public can understand the actions, ponder about them, and provide useful input and feedback. Because corruption thrives in secrecy, open and accountable government is essential to check it. Government must then be open to the scrutiny and questions of the people and/or their elected representatives in parliament. All members of the legislative branch are expected to be vigilant and ensure that the government satisfactorily implements programmes duly adopted by parliament.

Good governance and civil society
Throughout the world there is a growing recognition of the contribution that an active and participating civil society makes to the development of a country. Civil society embraces a broad range of human activities outside of the market and the state. Civil society includes non-governmental organisations, people's organisations, trade unions, political action committees, human rights groups, women's associations, the media, community-based coalitions, religious groups, and academic and research institutions, among others.

Civil society organisations are generally recognised for their knowledge about issues, their ability to mobilise communities and to come up with solutions to complex problems. They constitute the impetus for democratic change and represent a vital source of experience, expertise, and information. They bring new insights and approaches to people-centered and participatory development. They provide mutual support and services particularly for people who cannot afford them and for whom either the government or the market do not reach.

In many parts of the world, civil society organisations have defended the vulnerable supported the oppressed, the marginalised, and the excluded. They have created economic opportunities as well as promoted human rights and improved justice system. They have facilitated policy changes in the state that have reflected people's circumstances and needs. Above all, they have helped to generate the social capital that makes democracy work and that lies at the heart of healthy economics. This social capital includes both formal and informal networks of trust, openness, communication and cooperation as well as shared norms, goals, beliefs, and decision-making institutions.

Civil society organisations therefore play a critical, catalytic role in society. They carry out policy research, advocate for the rights of major groups that may not found their voice heard, and in this way have become actors in relation to governments, local authorities, employers and systems that impact on people's lives. They fight for various causes whether political, social, economic or cultural, that stimulate people to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. In short, civil society organisations foster transparency and accountability and have become essential to the development of coherent programmes and projects that build upon reality and people's needs. A vibrant civil society is therefore a critical precondition for a more equitable, democratic, pluralistic and human society.

In Bangladesh NGOs and civil society organisations have played an active role in the development of the country. The early 1990s have seen the emergence of large numbers of self-help groups in urban and rural areas, fostering greater social cohesion and community organisation in the country. These groups bring communities together around specific issues and concerns, like water, credit and savings schemes, and small-scale infrastructure. They assist communities not only to improve their living conditions and livelihoods but also to encourage participatory processes that lead to greater openness, trust, confidence and self-reliance among communities.

The NGOs and civil society play an important and active role by 1) promoting political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government; 2) reducing poverty at the grassroots level to ensure that rural people have fair access to the country's resources.

Conclusion
The ultimate goal of the state is to ensure the well-being of the people and create a just and tolerant society. This is after all the purpose of democracy. While we spend a great deal of time discussing the importance of such things as 'separation of powers' and 'independent judiciary', these are but means to the end, which is to provide for the basic needs of the people -- food, shelter, health care, etc. This will only occur when the state fully embraces the concept of good governance and implements the rule of law without fear or favour.

We are already rated as number one corrupt nation. Very recently even the Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Bangladesh has expressed his concern. Very recently country assessment strategy team with the Vice President of World Bank flatly blamed government for corruption and also asked head of the government to stop corruption. The chairman of Anti Corruption Commission has blamed political authority for this disgrace.

However, the people of Bangladesh have the right to ask about the function of Anti Corruption Commission. We as a nation must stand against those corrupt elements of the society to save the present and future generations from their grip. The country should not be hostage to a section of wealthy and corrupt people. They must be taken to task without any delay.

The development of Bangladesh will remain a far cry if there is failure to combat corruption. It is estimated that our per capita income would be doubled if corruption could be eradicated.

Political will is essential for the success of this initiative. Political reforms should include measures to strengthen the rule of law, the role of civil society, the capacity of parliament and to establish a transparent and comprehensive electoral process. We need to do these now to sustain as a nation.

Prof. Md. Ali Ashraf is a former Deputy Speaker and Secretary, Finance and Planning Affairs, Bangladesh Awami League.