Postgraduate Course
Governance, Democratization and Public Policy (GOVC)
5.5-week Postgraduate Course
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Developing and transition countries today face both opportunities stemming from the global democratic re-awakening of the past two decades, as well as challenges resulting from the world economic crisis. This has led national governments and donor agencies to renew their emphasis on democratization and improving governance, for example in the form of enhancing anti-corruption measures and policy effectiveness. There is, however, little consensus on relevant key concepts and strategies, and how to put them into operation.
The Governance, Democratization and Public Policy (GOV) course aims to equip students with the skills to critically analyse and to design approaches and systems for participatory governance, broad-based democratization and effective policies. GOV provides an overview of governance and democratization processes in relation to socioeconomic and political dynamics in developing and transition countries, including the role of local, national and ‘global governance’ institutions.
What is good governance?
The program starts with a review of the origin and background of the concept of governance, and its later more normative dimension in the ‘good governance agenda’, with a strong role for ‘global governance institutions’ such as the World Bank - which were influenced by the dominance of neo-liberal ideology. A critical element of governance is policy making: how to design policy for problems in society, and how to manage the most complex policy phase, namely that of implementation? What are the interests and powers of all stakeholders involved; do implementing agencies have the requisite financial and human resources which are part of the capacity to be effective?
How to design policy for problems in society, and how to manage the most complex policy phase: implementation?
Efforts to enhance governance, policy and democratisation are located in a broader institutional context, often marked by conditions of corruption or even state capture, and an important role of politicians. Such conditions critically influence the scope to enhance democracy in terms of allowing all citizens, rich and poor, a real voice. The Course will use concrete cases to discuss the formal but also informal and often patronage based strategies of parties and politicians to implement or manipulate policy, to win elections and to influence voters. Participants will assess and define ways to deal with key issues of governance and democratization.
Organizing good governance at the local level
In the second part, the focus shifts to the local and community levels and to concrete, implementable strategies. It is at the local governance level where governance and policy should yield concrete benefits for all citizens, but especially those most in need of them such as the poor and those marginalized such as minorities and women in many countries. The potential benefits and risks of decentralization are considered, as well as the scope and modalities to engage citizens though participatory approaches and frameworks; to empower marginalized groups for example in terms of gender equity, and to combat corruption and enhance accountability. Concrete strategies for local democratisation are analysed with a view to design improvements, such as engaging community and civil society organisations to hold politicians accountable and to organise free and fair elections. Since implementing strategies for change needs anticipating opposition and seeking compromises, the course is concluded by assessing strategies and tools for managing change and negotiations.
What are concrete strategies for local democratisation?
By the end of the programme students will be aware of theoretical insights, current discourses and key concepts relating to governance, policy and democracy and their implications for development and policy-making at global, national and regional levels, know key approaches and strategies for improvement, and will have acquired skills to put these to practice.
The programme includes various excursions
This intensive course of 5.5 weeks is a mix of interactive teaching, group exercises, and individual work such as drafting a policy proposal addressing a governance or democracy issue. It includes guest lectures, a three day excursion to relevant organisations in Brussels, and exposure visits in the Netherlands for example to municipalities and the Peace Palace and International Court of Justice, an important institution of global governance.
Target group
Mid-career professionals working in central and local governments, NGOs, or donor organizations, the staff and postgraduate students of universities in the North and the South, as well as persons who are considering a career in the field of governance or democratisation are well-suited to this programme.Find out more about the ISS student body
Learn more about the ISS student body and its educational approach by watching these two videos made by an MA student
