Why we need Good Enough Governance

Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) has shown how focusing on achievable goals rather than attempting to overhaul entire systems can lead to measurable improvements in public welfare. Photo: WHO

Governance has been a critical focal point in the discourse on development, with the concept of 'good governance' emerging as an international norm emphasising transparency, accountability, rule of law, and inclusiveness. However, achieving this ideal standard is often impractical in resource-constrained, politically volatile, and institutionally fragile developing countries like Bangladesh. 

Recognising these limitations, Grindle proposed the framework of 'Good Enough Governance' (GEG), which advocates for prioritising incremental, context-specific reforms over ambitious governance ideals. 

Good Enough Governance offers a pragmatic framework for governance reform in developing countries like Bangladesh, where resource constraints, political instability, and institutional weaknesses often hinder the implementation of idealised governance models. 

It is imperative to analyse the importance of GEG in the context of developing countries, particularly Bangladesh, emphasising how a pragmatic governance approach can address immediate challenges, facilitate sustainable development, and mitigate the risks of reform fatigue. 

To begin with, let's have an overview of the concept of Good Enough Governance. Good Enough Governance rejects the idealistic benchmarks of good governance by focusing on incremental, politically feasible, and context-sensitive reforms. The framework acknowledges that many developing countries, including Bangladesh, operate in environments constrained by limited state capacity, socio-political instability and pervasive inequality. 

In resource-constrained settings, GEG prioritises reforms that address critical governance gaps and deliver tangible outcomes for the population. For instance, while good governance might demand sweeping judicial reforms, GEG would focus on achievable goals like ensuring legal aid for marginalised communities or reducing case backlogs in district courts. The aim is not to abandon long-term objectives but to pursue reforms that are realistic within existing constraints.

Tackling resource and capacity constraints

In the developing world, GEG is essential for addressing resource and institutional limitations. Many developing countries, including Bangladesh, face significant administrative challenges—inefficiency, nepotism, and inadequate resources—that make comprehensive reforms unfeasible. GEG offers a pragmatic alternative by focusing on achievable, incremental changes.

For example, instead of attempting to overhaul the entire education sector, Bangladesh has made progress through targeted initiatives like the Primary Education Stipend Project (PESP), which has boosted school enrolment among economically disadvantaged families. Such focused reforms align with GEG principles, proving that small steps can lead to meaningful developmental outcomes.

Navigating political realities 

The political landscape in developing and underdeveloped countries, including Bangladesh, is often marked by polarisation, patronage networks, and frequent leadership changes. Ambitious reforms frequently falter in such environments, facing resistance from entrenched elites and vested interests. 

GEG, however, emphasises politically feasible reforms that align with the interests of key stakeholders. For instance, rather than launching large-scale anti-corruption campaigns that risk alienating powerful groups, GEG would advocate for sector-specific measures like digitising land records to curb corruption in property registration. This approach has already shown promise in Bangladesh, where the introduction of online systems for tax collection and service delivery has reduced rent-seeking behaviour.

By focusing on incremental, context-sensitive reforms, GEG offers a practical pathway to tackle immediate challenges while laying the foundation for broader systemic change. In environments where resources are limited and political realities are complex, GEG provides a realistic and effective framework for progress.

Prioritising service delivery 

A key strength of GEG lies in its emphasis on reforms that directly improve citizens' well-being. In countries like Bangladesh, where access to basic services such as healthcare, education and clean water remains inadequate, prioritising service delivery can yield immediate benefits. 

For example, Bangladesh's community-based health programs, such as the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), have significantly boosted child immunisation rates despite resource constraints. These initiatives demonstrate how focusing on achievable goals, rather than attempting to overhaul entire systems, can lead to measurable improvements in public welfare.

Mitigating reform fatigue 

Ambitious governance reforms often fail in developing countries due to unrealistic goals, leading to disillusionment among administrators, donors, and citizens. Bangladesh, like many other developing nations has seen donor-driven initiatives falter because they were poorly aligned with local realities. 

GEG addresses this issue by advocating for incremental changes that deliver visible and achievable results. By focusing on smaller, context-specific reforms, GEG helps sustain momentum and prevent the burnout that often accompanies failed large-scale efforts.

In essence, GEG's pragmatic approach ensures that progress is steady and sustainable, even in challenging environments. Furthermore, promoting  relevance is one of the most important issues for success.  

One of the key advantages of GEG is its emphasis on local ownership and contextual relevance. Unlike donor-driven good governance models, which often impose external benchmarks, GEG encourages reforms that are grounded in local realities and involve local stakeholders in decision-making processes. 

In Bangladesh, community-led disaster management initiatives such as early warning systems and cyclone shelters have demonstrated the importance of local ownership. These initiatives, which align with GEG principles, have significantly reduced the loss of life during natural disasters, highlighting the effectiveness of context-sensitive approaches. 

However, implementing GEG requires identifying and prioritising critical reforms, a task that is often complicated by competing interests and limited data. In Bangladesh, determining whether to prioritise education, healthcare, or infrastructure development requires careful consideration of resource allocation and political feasibility. 

By focusing on incremental, context-sensitive reforms that improve  service delivery and align with political realities, GEG provides a pathway to sustainable development. However, the success of GEG depends on balancing short-term priorities with long-term institutional development and ensuring that incremental reforms do not become an excuse for avoiding systemic changes. For Bangladesh, adopting GEG principles can help address immediate governance challenges while building the foundation for more comprehensive reforms in the future.

Mohammad Kamrul Hasan. Sketch: TBS

Dr Mohammad Kamrul Hasan is a Public Administration and Public Policy Researcher.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.