An Analysis of Governance from the Viewpoint of Development Politics: Considering the Difference between “Tochi” and “Kyochi”

Abstract

Governance or good governance can be divided into three aspects. The first is the “institutionalization of government” which include the rule of law, capacity development, transparency and accountability, and decentralization. The second is the “institutionalization of developmental (or economic) governance” represented by public policies that support economic growth and social development. The third is the “institutionalization of democracy” represented by freedom of speech and association, civil society building, human rights, fair election and the strengthening of parliaments. While recognizing all these three aspects, it seems that the World Bank prioritizes the first and the second, while the UNDP prioritizes the first and the third.

In Japan, the understanding of governance is highly dominated by “kyochi” viewed as the coordination mechanism among the local government, civil society organizations and private business sector at the local government level. However, in the international development world and in highly centralized developing countries, governance has been dominated by “tochi.” The author sets “kyochi” within the framework of “co-governance” at the local level government as the sub-category of governance and “tochi” within the framework of government “steering” the economy and society at the national level governance.

The actual implementation of good governance practices must face the vested interests of politicoeconomic elites who are deeply rooted from the local to the national level. A former Filipino congressman noted, “Even though the international donors and NGOs insist on various things, all projects are undertaken within the domination of traditional politicians” who can dominate and manipulate voters using clientelism. Eventually, the good governance agenda symbolizes the “direction to be pursued” and its actual implementation processes are the zigzag course, being promoted sometimes gradually and sometimes abruptly. The key words to proceed to that direction are “effective state” and “developmental state” to be institutionalized in developing countries.