“Good governance”, democracy and development paradigms

“Good governance” has become a central term in the international discussion on development co-operation. What is actually meant by “good governance”? By which yardstick can it be measured? How is governance related to development, political participation and democracy? What implications does this have for bilateral and multilateral donors?     

Structural adjustment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa

As a result of a donor conference staged by the World Bank in Paris on 3rd and 4th December, 1987, donor countries and international organizations now intend to make $6.4 billion available in the form of a special programme to highly indebted, low-income African countries to carry out structural adjustment programmes during the period 1988–1990. This sum includes approximately $6.4 billion available in the form of a special programme to highly indebted, low-income African countries to carry out structural adjustment programmes during the period 1988–1990. This sum includes approximately 3.2 billion of additional funds which donor countries wish to provide in support of such programmes on a co-financing or parallel financing basis together with the World Bank. This article offers an initial assessment of the proposed special programme, the possibilities opened up, the risks involved, and the necessary conditions for its success. The views expressed in this article are those of the author.