Conflict, Legitimacy and Government Reform: Equitable Allocation of ...
Conflict, Legitimacy and Government Reform: Equitable Allocation of ...
Conflict, Legitimacy and Government Reform: Equitable Allocation of ...
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96 KPI Congress XI<br />
Fundamental Linkages between<br />
Good Governance <strong>and</strong> <strong>Equitable</strong><br />
<strong>Allocation</strong> <strong>of</strong> Resources<br />
Having defined <strong>and</strong> discussed both ‘equitable allocation <strong>of</strong><br />
resources’ <strong>and</strong> ‘good governance’, we can see that the two concepts are<br />
closely linked. Fairness/equity is one <strong>of</strong> the principles <strong>of</strong> good<br />
governance. The outcomes <strong>of</strong> both ‘equitable access to resources’ <strong>and</strong><br />
‘good governance’ involve equal access to power <strong>and</strong> ensuring that all<br />
citizens have an opportunity to have a say in decision making. Because<br />
‘equity’ is one <strong>of</strong> the principles <strong>of</strong> good governance you can not have<br />
good governance without equity. Because good governance is about the<br />
systems, processes <strong>and</strong> mechanisms that ensure that all people have a say<br />
in decision making, you can not have equity without good governance.<br />
Both ‘equitable allocation <strong>of</strong> resources’ <strong>and</strong> ‘good governance’ is<br />
relevant in different zones. At the global level we have seen that there are<br />
vast difference in equity across countries. Global governance<br />
organizations such as the UN seek to address some <strong>of</strong> those inequalities.<br />
At the national level we have found that there are inequalities. We<br />
suggest that there is a correlation between the 5 principles <strong>of</strong> good<br />
governance (legitimacy/voice; direction/strategic vision; performance;<br />
accountability; <strong>and</strong> equity\/fairness) <strong>and</strong> equitable allocation <strong>of</strong> resources.<br />
The relationship between the principles <strong>of</strong> good governance <strong>and</strong><br />
equitable allocation <strong>of</strong> resources is perhaps most stark at the family level,<br />
where families in which principles such as voice/participation,<br />
accountability <strong>and</strong> fairness are upheld we are more likely to see resources<br />
allocated equitably regardless <strong>of</strong> gender <strong>and</strong> age differences, than in<br />
families where these principles are not respected.<br />
An important relationship also exists between equitable allocation <strong>of</strong><br />
resources <strong>and</strong> the development <strong>of</strong> sound government, civil society <strong>and</strong><br />
business organizations. Where there is unequal allocation <strong>of</strong> resources,<br />
there is a tendency for organizations to be developed which perpetuate<br />
inequalities in power, status <strong>and</strong> wealth.