Better Governance for Development in the Middle East and North Africa Enhancing Inclusiveness and Accountability

by World Bank

• ISBN13: 9780821356357
• ISBN10: 0821356356
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-09-15
• Publisher: World Bank Publications
• More Book Details

Summary

This publication proposes an analytical framework for discussing and measuring good governance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, based on the values of inclusiveness and accountability. It draws on examples, both regionally and internationally, in order to highlight the importance of good governance for economic and social development. The book identifies positive trends in the region, despite the region's legacy of limited public disclosure and transparency, and considers key challenges remaining for countries in the region to further the governance agenda.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii
Acknowledgments	xv
Glossary of Terms	xvii
Abbreviations and Acronyms	xxi
Overview	1	(24)
Enhancing Governance in MENA	1	(2)
Governance Is Typically Weaker in MENA than in the Rest of the World-Qualitatively	3	(2)
... And in the Measure of Good Governance	5	(3)
Weak Governance Has Contributed to Weak Growth in MENA ...	8	(2)
... Because Poor Governance Has Shackled the Business Environment	10	(2)
Weak Governance Has Also Limited the Quality of Public Goods and Services	12	(2)
Bridging the Region's Governance Gap Is Both a Challenge and an Opportunity	14	(3)
Any Program to Enhance Governance Requires Attention to the Twin Values of Inclusiveness and Accountability, ...	17	(1)
... Starting with an Open Commitment by Countries ...	17	(1)
... To Formulate and Act on a Program to Enhance Governance ...	18	(1)
... With Five Pathways to Good Governance:...	18	(2)
... To Enhance Inclusiveness, ...	20	(1)
... To Strengthen External Accountability Through National Actions, ...	20	(1)
... To Strengthen External Accountability Through Local Actions, ...	21	(1)
... To Improve Internal Accountability Through National Checks and Balances, ...	21	(1)
... And to Improve Internal Accountability Through Administrative Reforms	22	(1)
In Sum: Follow Commitment with Action	23	(1)
Notes	23	(2)
Analytical Framework for Good Governance in the Middle East and North Africa	25	(10)
The Good Governance Relationship	25	(6)
Inclusiveness	27	(1)
Accountability	27	(4)
Making Governance "Good"	31	(4)
1. The Governance Gap in MENA	35	(40)
Introducing Governance in MENA	35	(4)
Describing Governance in MENA	39	(26)
Inclusiveness in MENA	39	(3)
Accountability in MENA	42	(14)
Measuring Governance-How Does MENA Compare?	56	(2)
Overall Governance Quality	58	(1)
Quality of Administration	58	(4)
Public Accountability	62	(3)
Why Governance Has Not Been Improving in MENA	65	(8)
Geopolitics	66	(2)
Conflict-or Its Threat	68	(1)
Oil Wealth	68	(5)
Notes	73	(2)
2. Better Governance for Economic Development	75	(30)
The Governance Gap and Development	76	(2)
Governance Deficiencies Are at the Root of Slow Growth in MENA	78	(9)
The Link Between Good Governance and Growth	80	(1)
Growth in MENA: Sluggish, with Low Private Investment and Productivity	81	(2)
The Governance Gap Slowed Growth in MENA	83	(4)
Better Governance Improves the Environment for Productive Investment	87	(14)
Better Governance Reduces the Scope for Arbitrary Government Policies	87	(5)
Better Governance Reduces Uncertainty and Costs of Doing Business	92	(6)
Better Governance Ensures Effective Public Services for Businesses	98	(3)
Notes	101	(4)
3. Better Governance for Social Development	105	(46)
Service Delivery in MENA: Commitment and Achievements	108	(11)
Overall Outcomes Show Improvement over Time ...	108	(2)
... Because of a Strong Commitment by Governments	110	(4)
A Mixed Record in Public Services Delivery	114	(5)
Governance Matters for Public Service Delivery	119	(29)
An Accountability Framework for Governance and Public Service Delivery	120	(3)
The Link Between the Politicians or Policymakers and the Service Agencies	123	(10)
The Link Between Service Agencies and Client-Citizens	133	(8)
The Link Between Citizens and Politicians	141	(7)
Challenges for the Future	148	(1)
Notes	149	(2)
4. Pathways to Better Governance	151	(28)
The Urgency for Action-Development and Governance Gaps	151	(1)
Overcoming the Governance Gap	152	(20)
Enhancing Inclusiveness	156	(1)
Gaining Stronger Accountability	157	(1)
Improving External Accountability-National Actions	158	(4)
Improving External Accountability-Local Actions	162	(4)
Improving Internal Accountability-National Checks and Balances	166	(2)
Improving Internal Accountability-Administrative Measures	168	(4)
Moving the Governance Agenda Forward	172	(7)
A Commitment for Action ...	175	(2)
... And Formulation of a Program to Enhance Governance	177
Appendixes
A. Construction of Governance Indexes	179	(8)
B. Governance and Income Correlations	187	(6)
C. Estimating the Effect of Governance on Growth	193	(6)
D. Literature Review: Examining Factors that Help Explain the Governance Gap in MENA	199	(8)
E. Governance and Growth: Reviewing the Evidence	207	(4)
F. Country Tables	211	(34)
References	245	(26)
Index	271