Governance Indicators: Approaches, Progress, Promises – Hertie Governance Report

Approaches to Governance Indicators

There are a variety of different approaches to measuring governance indicators. Some indicators are based on surveys of experts, while others rely on objective data. Some indicators focus on the formal institutions of governance, such as the rule of law and the electoral system, while others focus on the informal norms and practices that shape governance.

One of the most common approaches to measuring governance indicators is the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI). The WGI are based on surveys of experts and measure six dimensions of governance: voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption.

Another common approach to measuring governance indicators is the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance. The Ibrahim Index is based on objective data and measures four dimensions of governance: safety and security, rule of law, human rights, and sustainable economic opportunity.

There are also a number of other governance indicators that have been developed by different organizations. These indicators vary in terms of their scope, methodology, and focus.

Progress in Governance

There has been considerable progress in governance over the past few decades. The WGI has found that the average score for governance indicators has increased by 10% since 1996. This progress has been driven by a number of factors, including the spread of democracy, the growth of the global economy, and the increased awareness of the importance of good governance.

However, there is still considerable variation in governance quality across countries. Some countries have made significant progress in improving their governance, while others have seen their governance scores decline. The WGI has found that the gap between the best and worst-performing countries has widened since 1996.

Promises of Governance Indicators

Governance indicators have the potential to make a significant contribution to improving governance. They can provide a valuable tool for identifying areas for improvement and for tracking progress over time. Governance indicators can also help to raise awareness of the importance of good governance and to hold governments accountable for their performance.

However, there are also a number of challenges to the effective use of governance indicators. One challenge is the lack of consensus on what constitutes good governance. Different indicators measure different aspects of governance, and there is no single universally accepted definition of governance. This can make it difficult to compare the results of different studies and to draw meaningful s about the overall quality of governance in a particular country.

Another challenge to the effective use of governance indicators is the lack of data. In many countries, there is insufficient data to measure governance indicators accurately. This can make it difficult to track progress over time and to identify areas for improvement.

Despite these challenges, governance indicators have the potential to make a significant contribution to improving governance. They can provide a valuable tool for identifying areas for improvement, tracking progress over time, raising awareness of the importance of good governance, and holding governments accountable for their performance.