1	Parliament and the Politics of Good Governance Workshop November 24^th and 28^th, Monrovia, Liberia Dr. Matthias Basedau / James Logan
2	Programme of Workshop What is Good Governance? Governance in Liberia Why Good Governance? Coffee Break (around 3h) The Functions of Parliament in Liberia How Parliament can contribute to Good Governance Obstacles and Problems Some Remedies End of Workshop (around 5 h)
3	Definition of Governance: „Governance means the process of decision making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented).“ But what is Good Governance? And what is Bad Governance?
4	Good Governance according to the IMF „Good Governance is important for countries at all stages of development....Our approach is to concentrate on those aspects of good governance that are most closely related to our surveillance over macroeconomic policies-namely, the transparency of government accounts, the effectiveness of public resource management, and the stability and transparency of the economic and regulatory environment for private sector activity.“ (Michel Camdessus, IMF, Managing Director, 1987-2000)
5	According to the United Nations Good Governance must (be)...
6	According to the German Ministry for Development and Cooperation Good Governance means: Respect for Basic Human Rights (e.g. Freedom of Expression, Protection of Minorities) The Participation of the Population in the Decision Making Process (e.g. Free and Fair Elections) The Rule of Law (e.g. Independant Judiciary, Accountability of Government) A Sound Framework for a socially Responsible Market Economy (e.g. Property Rights, Fair Competition, Minimum Social Welfare) Development-Orientated Government Policies (e.g. Efficient Use of Resources, Control of Corruption, Moderate Military Expenditure)
7	The World Bank measures Good Governance in six indicators: General Political Stability (“Political Stability” & Absence of Violence) Human Rights & Democracy („Voice & Accountability“) Rule of Law („Rule of Law“) Framework for Market Economy („Regulatory Quality“) Effective Government Policies („Government Effectiveness“) Level of Corruption / Transparency („Control of Corruption“) D
8	Different Concepts of Good Governance Compared
9	Conclusion There are different ideas about what Good Governance is exactly. Some focus on economic issues only, others on political and social issues. Some include all of them. In any case, efficient use of resources, the control of corruption and a stable and reliable political and economic framework are essential to Good Governance. Many actors, including Parliament, are involved in Good Governance.
10	Problems with imposed Good Governance Ownership and commitment Adaptation to country-specific conditions But: Problems must not be used as a pretext for bad governance
11	World Bank Assessment of Governance in Liberia (2004) in regional comparison
12	World Bank Assessment of Governance in Liberia 2002-2004
13	World Bank: „Democracy“ („Voice and Accountability“) in comparison to neighbours
14	World Bank: „Political Stability“ in comparison to neighbours
15	World Bank: „Regulatory Quality“ in comparison to neighbours
16	World Bank: „Government Effectiveness“ in comparison to neighbours
17	World Bank: „Rule of Law“ in comparison to neighbours
18	World Bank: „Control of Corruption“ in comparison to neighbours
19	Conclusion The overall disappointing performance can be partly explained by violent conflict in the past; There have been some improvements in some areas recently (e.g. corruption). Nevertheless, Liberia can certainly do better.
20	Conclusion Good Governance is in the very self-interest of any people. It cannot be realized without the commitment of its leaders and representatives.
21	Constitutional Powers in Liberia
22	Functions of Parliament (in Liberia) Make Laws Pass State Budget Control Government Participate in Poverty Reduction Process Serve as Public Forum of Discussion Articulate Public Views and Represent Government
23	How can Parliament contribute to Good Governance? Questions for Working Groups: How can Parliament or Individual MPs contribute to Good Governance? What can hinder Parliament or Individual MPs to contribute to Good Governance? Establish Working Groups (5 Min.) Working Groups discuss questions (20. Min.) Working Group select Speaker (5 Min.) Speakers present results of Working Groups (5. Min. each)
24	What can hinder Parliament‘s contribution to Good Governance? Constitutional dominance of the Executive/Presidency (e.g. decree powers) Potential conflict between Parliament and Presidency (e.g. institutional deadlock) Lack of resources/capacity (e.g. support staff, offices, expertise on pertinent issues such as state budget) Lack of acceptance in the public
25	Conclusion Although there are other actors, who are important for good governance, such as the President and the Judiciary, Parliament has a key role in realizing Good Governance. In order to live up to the challenge MPs have to show commitment but also deserve support from within and outside the country.
26	Some Remedies to strengthen Parliament for Good Governance Strengthen Constitutional Powers of Parliament (difficult) Enhance capacity and expertise of Parliament/MPs Improve cooperation within Parliament/between MPs Enhance visibility and acceptance of Parliament/MPs in the public
27	Enhance capacity and expertise 1) Establish committees on pertinent issues (e.g. Budget, corruption, demobilization) and, if necessary, increase their powers Make sure that committees have enough time to make themselves familiar with the issues to be decided Provide resources to MPs/Parliament (offices, support staff) Establish expertise within Parliament (library, research units)
28	Enhance capacity and expertise 2) Make use of modern technology Make use of outside research facilities Train new MPs on their rights and duties Train MPs and staff on pertinent subjects (e.g. budget) Increase attendance in Parliament (e,g, imposing penalties)
29	Improve cooperation within Parliament/between MPs/parties Draft a code of conduct for all MPs (e.g. use of inappropriate speech) Fair and clear procedures (e.g. time allocation for speeches, motions, hearings, Orders of the Day) Elect an impartial Speaker of Parliament who ensures fair and balanced conduct of business Elect strong chairs for committees who can build consensus across party lines Ensure political neutrality of the parliamentary secretary
30	Enhance visibility and acceptance in the public 1) Establish regular hearings in Parliament Broadcast discussions in Parliament on TV and the Radio Establish a “televised question hour” where the President and other Ministers are subject to direct questioning Discuss and debate corruption issues frequently
31	Enhance visibility and acceptance in the public 2) Make MPS declare their assets before election Involve civil society in Parliament’s work (e.g. committees) Invite citizens to Parliament’s sittings Hold information workshops in the Counties Make MPs stay in contact with their constituencies
32	Some institutions which support Parliaments in Africa The World Bank The UNDP USAID (US) IDEA (Sweden) IMD (Netherlands) European Union German „Stiftungen“ (e.g. KAS, FES)
33	Thank you very much!