Measuring the goodness of governance : macro, intermediate and micro perspectives

Abstract

Governance comprises a network of interdependent connections between various
 actors. The performance of governance institutions should be measured, both
 quantitatively (efficiency, effectiveness and economy dimensions) and qualitatively
 (outcomes and impact on society). Such measuring endeavours should occur
 against the background of globally-accepted principles of good and outcomes-based
 governance. It should further be facilitated by the design and establishment
 of comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems.
 The question may be asked as to what extent the South African Government
 complies with international best practices to measure the goodness of its policy,
 strategy, programme and project interventions. The focus of this article is thus
 to critique the system utilised by the South African Government to measure the
 goodness of government (institutional perspectives) as well as the goodness of
 governance (network, joined-up, societal perspectives). A macro, intermediate and
 micro framework is utilised for this purpose.