Governance and Governed: Multi-Country Perspectives on State, Society and Development

This book explores the topic of governance and governed from a state-society inter-relationship perspective, focusing on the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) as case studies. It argues that understanding state-governance is crucial in addressing inequalities, exclusion, and vulnerabilities, and utilizes a broader lens to understand incremental processes in different case-study contexts. The focus is on deriving practical lessons about governance processes that are of interest to the wider development community.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 246 pages
\n Publication date: 13 January 2018
\n Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore
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This book, drawing extensively from insights in India and case studies in Brazil, China, and South Africa, delves into the contentious issue of 'governance and governed from a state-society inter-relationship perspective. It contends that the centrality of understanding state-governance in today's world is rooted in addressing inequalities, exclusion, and vulnerabilities by accounting for the diversities and contingencies of concrete political realities. These countries, as members of the BRICS consortium, have been recognized for their significant growth potential in the global economy. However, their economic progress alone may not necessarily lead to improved quality of life. Instead, the approach taken here is to broaden the lens to comprehend the nature and extent of incremental processes in different case-study contexts, offering a more comprehensive framework for understanding governance. Rather than prescribing a specific understanding of governance, the focus is on extracting practical lessons about governance processes that are valuable to the broader development community.

Introduction:
The study of governance has become increasingly important in recent years, as societies face complex challenges and opportunities. Governance refers to the processes and institutions that shape the distribution of resources, power, and authority within a society. It encompasses a wide range of issues, including public policy, economic development, social welfare, and environmental protection.

State-Society Inter-Relationship Perspective:
The book adopts a state-society inter-relationship perspective, which emphasizes the complex and dynamic nature of governance. It recognizes that governance is not solely the responsibility of the state, but also involves a range of actors, including civil society organizations, the private sector, and grassroots communities. The perspective recognizes that governance is shaped by a variety of factors, including historical legacies, cultural norms, economic structures, and political institutions.

Insights from India:
The book draws extensively from insights in India, a country with a diverse and complex governance landscape. India has experienced significant economic growth in recent decades, but has also faced challenges such as income inequality, social exclusion, and environmental degradation. The book explores how governance in India has responded to these challenges, and how it has sought to promote social and economic development while addressing environmental concerns.

Case Studies in Brazil, China, and South Africa:
In addition to India, the book includes case studies in Brazil, China, and South Africa, three other BRICS countries that have experienced rapid economic growth in recent years. The case studies examine how governance in these countries has influenced economic development, social welfare, and environmental protection. The book also explores the challenges and opportunities that these countries face in their governance efforts.

Conclusion:
The book provides valuable insights into the contested topic of 'governance and governed from a state-society inter-relationship perspective. It argues that the centrality of understanding state-governance today is rooted in concerns regarding diversities and contingencies of concrete political reality to address inequalities, exclusion, and vulnerabilities. The book emphasizes the importance of a broader framework for procedural and substantive understanding of governance, rather than a prescription of a government and its activity of governing. The focus is on deriving practical lessons about governance processes that are of interest to the wider development community.

\n Weight: 522g\n
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9789811059629\n
Edition number: 1st ed. 2018\n