Alexander Gorelik - Director of the U.N.O. Information Center in Moscow
On Interrelation between Democratization and Good Governance
Based on the UN documents democratization is understood as a process to form and strengthen democratic institutions in a society, as well as practices and concepts. Also, it implies encouragement of people's participation in the democratic process.
I venture to state that during the last decade the UN has made a practical contribution to the stockpile of valuable experience in reforming state governance system. I mean, first of all, the so-called concept of 'good governance'. This conception was developed within the UN in the early nineties, and since that time it has been constantly added with regard to its matter. It is rather difficult to give a full description to this concept, and, probably, it is not so important. But still I would like to refer to such a comprehensive definition: "Good governance comprises the supremacy of the law, effectiveness of the state institutions, transparency and accountability within official structures, respect for human rights and practical participation of people in all the political processes happening in their county as well as decision making processes which can affect their lives".
In general, a problem of the governance quality is a key one in the UN approach to present economic, social, ecological and interdisciplinary problems. This topic is closely connected with the UN ideas on a just and stable human development. It relates, in particular, to the very overall idea of human development as "the measure of all things". This idea is promoted and strengthened by the UN Development Programme. The reports published by the UN on human development are well known all over the world. For several years Russia has been publishing these reports.
Liberal and economic theories that dominate in national development strategies on the threshold of the centuries give preference to the market principles. Liberalization of the world economy now is "in full swing". However, the UN is anxious upon the fact that processes of impoverishment and economic depression are progressing in many countries of the world and constantly points to it. It is necessary to encourage the international unanimity that the pursuit of economic growth without focusing on social objectives is fraught with very serious consequences. In defiance of the widespread opinion the governments should preserve a significant role in regulating the market economy and investing in the human development. Only governments are able to secure junction of public and private interests when carrying out market reforms.
But in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe the UN has denoted the following alarming phenomenon. The trend to reduce the governments' role in controlling national economy due to lack of democratic traditions and effective legal "restrictions" results in offering unequal opportunities for people. In a number of countries lack of an adequate legislation system and reliable property right leads to distorted market economy, arbitrary rule, corruption and bad management.
The UN in its documents and practical policy stresses that the market economy requires developing democratic instruments and institutions. However, it is not enough to have a government educated in democratic traditions. This is only a part of the whole process. Such a government will face the task to become an effective conveyer of democratic principles and practices at different levels and various strata of society. In a word, according to the UN the problem is as follows: to have not a 'shrinking' state but a 'modified' state focused on democracy, good governance and wide participation in all the processes.
The UN system recognizes the significance to render assistance to a wide circle of countries in strengthening their democratic institutions and increasing governance effectiveness. Democratization and good governance appear as the prime goals of the organizations, which aim in their activities to offer assistance for future development. At present, more than 50 % of the UN resources are allocated for the programmes in the following areas: the support of reforms in the state sector; strengthening of governance institutions and administration systems in certain circumstances; the support of democratization process and local governance systems; forming of a team of leaders and assistance in developing democratization and extending political rights as well as possibilities for poor strata of a society, based on strengthening of civil society organizations.
Kofi Annan the UN Secretary-General has repeatedly emphasized during the past several years that it is important to create such a situation that could ensure safety, prosperity of a civil society, transparency and effectiveness of a government as well as its activities. At the same time, reliable appropriate institution mechanisms should support the government's accountability. These efforts also demand respect for human rights and legitimacy, and these factors are corner stones of good governance.
Democratization provides support for people living in a society. It is impossible to overestimate its significance. It is extremely important to make people feel that they are represented in a political life of their society and democratization is based on positive local structures and traditional governance methods and ensures people's participation. That is why a strong civil society, and a culture of human rights in particular, is the most important element in strengthening democracy. The system of human rights based on treaties concluded under the aegis of the UN forms a regular basis to exercise human rights and control their maintenance in all the countries including countries with democracy being formed. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights can provide consultation services and technical support to organize educational campaigns and prepare appropriate reports, which cover fundamental treaties on human rights.
Elections play an important role in democratization efforts and should be regarded not as an episode but as an element of the long-term strategy aimed at strengthening democratic institutions.
For a long period of time the United Nations has paid a special attention to supporting national and parliamentary elections. Partially, it can be explained by concrete requests to render such kind of assistance. However, as the experience has revealed the local elections are the first link between elector and elected official. This link between the elector and the elected official and accountability of locally elected officials forms a kind of important ground to strengthen democracy, nationally. Besides, elected officials, in many cases younger people, can serve as source of leaders for the generation of national politicians to come. That is why assistance in conducting local election campaigns reveals significant and distinct possibilities to broaden the democratization process.
I agree with the position that the UN has to solve three basic problems when assisting in democratization processes: a) to elaborate an integral approach to democracy and not to regard it from a technical viewpoint only; b) to support strongly the democratic reforms being well aware of their complexity and taking into consideration local circumstances; c) to realize that there are no quick solutions to the democratization problem; therefore, concrete situations should be regarded without displaying unnecessary aplomb, and forms and methods of work should be more adaptable.
Regrettably, a mistaken conception of democracy as the western one is prevalent. In this regard, the UN, as the Secretary-General has noticed, has to try to avoid using services of mainly western or 'pro-western' experts in the area of democracy and to revert to practices of different countries including the countries with the economy of transition period.
