Haike Pijs on good governance and development
Method and introduction
This thesis investigates the relationship between sub-national good governance and development in Botswana, Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda through a panel data analysis of 21,522 households. It analyses national and sub-national level data, covering 75 regions for the years 2008, 2013, 2016, and 2019. Sub-national good governance is measured using the Afrobarometer, focusing on the dimensions of rule of law and voice and accountability. Development is measured using the sub-national Human Development Index from the Global Data Lab and the Human Development Index from the United Nations Development Program.
Relevance
The relevance of this research is underscored by the worsening global income inequality due to the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change. Low- and mid-income countries, in particular, are heavily affected, counteracting progress in the SDGs. The thesis emphasizes the importance of focusing on sub-national good governance for achieving SDG1, SDG10, and SDG16, which target poverty reduction, inequality reduction, and the promotion of just and inclusive societies.
The maps above depict the 'Freedom to vote' indicator for four countries as calculated for 2019. The question prompted was "On the whole, how would you rate the freeness and fairness of the last national election?", ranging from "Not free and fair" to "Completely free and fair".
Why measure freedom to vote?
Voting is essential for good governance as it ensures accountability, representation, and public participation, enabling citizens to influence decisions and hold leaders responsible.
Result
The study reveals a mixed relationship between sub-national good governance and development. Sub-national rule of law and development show a positive relationship, while sub-national voice and accountability and development exhibit a negative relationship. The research suggests that development policies can be influenced by sub-national perceptions of good governance, not only at the national level. Indication a potential for improvement of development policies by taking the regional level more into account.
Literature gap
The research highlights a gap in the literature concerning the relationship between sub-national good governance and development, despite the growing role of regions in policy implementation and handling complex issues. By focusing on African countries, the study provides insights into sub-national differences in good governance and development in a region especially vulnerable to the impact of Covid-19 and climate change on poverty and inequality. The research contributes to understanding the relationship between sub-national good governance and development, enabling future development policies to better address sub-national dimensions.
Future research ideas
- Gender and Governance: Investigate whether gender plays a role in the relationship between sub-national governance and development outcomes. Analyze how gender dynamics within regions impact the effectiveness of governance structures.
- Environmental Sustainability and Governance: Assess the connection between sub-national environmental governance and sustainable development outcomes. Explore how environmental policies at the sub-national level contribute to or hinder overall regional development.
- Institutional Quality and Economic Resilience: Investigate how variations in sub-national institutional quality contribute to the economic resilience of regions during crises. Examine recovery rates based on institutional strength.
- Temporal Analysis: Conduct a longitudinal study to track changes in the relationship between sub-national good governance and development over time. Examine how external shocks influence this relationship.
- Policy Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Investigate the relationship between sub-national good governance and other SDGs that may not have been explored in this study. Examine how improvements in governance contribute to achieving broader sustainable development objectives.
- Policy Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Investigate the relationship between sub-national good governance and other SDGs that may not have been explored in this study. Examine how improvements in governance contribute to achieving broader sustainable development objectives.