what is the difference between government and governance

what is the difference between government and governance

2 months ago 13
Nature

The difference between government and governance can be summarized as follows: Government refers to the formal institutions and people who hold authority to govern a state or community. It includes the legislature, executive, judiciary, and various departments and agencies responsible for making and enforcing laws, providing public services, and protecting citizens. Governments are typically structured organizations with defined roles and powers, such as elected officials and civil servants, and operate within a specific term or mandate

. Governance , on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses the processes, rules, and interactions through which power is exercised and decisions are made within a society or organization. It includes not only the government but also other actors like the private sector, civil society, and various stakeholders. Governance relates to how policies are formulated, implemented, and monitored, emphasizing transparency, accountability, participation, and responsiveness to the needs of the population. It is about the overall system and quality of how a society or organization is managed and regulated

. In essence:

  • Government is the institution or group of people with authority to govern.
  • Governance is the process and framework of managing and exercising that authority, involving multiple actors and mechanisms beyond just the government.

An analogy is that government is like the "players" or "managers" on a team, while governance is the "rules of the game" and how the team operates to achieve its goals

. Thus, governance is more comprehensive and includes the government but extends to the broader system of decision-making and power distribution in society

Read Entire Article