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Summary
Governance Class 12

THE CLASS STARTED WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS TOPICS (05:02 PM)

MULTI-ACTOR PARADIGM MODEL IN THE GOVERNANCE (05:04 PM)

  • Between the 1950s and 1990s, the country witnessed a centralized and top-down approach to the development process with the state having an absolute monopoly over development.
  • The State controlled the private sector through licenses, quotas, and permits and took full responsibility for the entire development process. The third sector (Civil society and NGOs) was non-existent during this period.
  • After 1991, When India had opted for Liberalization, Privatization, and globalization, the Private sector started playing a very important role in realizing developmental objectives.
  • From 2000 onwards, the country has witnessed rapid expansion in the activities of civil society organizations and NGOs.
  • At present, We are witnessing a Multi-Actor Paradigm in our governance system.
  • Many institutions are responsible for governance, including as part of federal polity, Union government, state government, and local self-government.
  • In the age of liberalization, the Private sector,
  • In the age of globalization, Multinational companies and multi-lateral institutions.
  • Permanent civil services
  • Media 
  • Civil society organizations, NGOs, and Pressure groups.
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Self-help groups and other beneficiary associations and so on.
  • Governance becomes complicated and difficult due to the presence of multiple actors having their own vested interests.
  • If decisions are taken unilaterally by the state without involving stakeholders, it can face stiff resistance from the people.
  • As can be seen in the agitation against the three farm bills, ultimately the government was forced to withdraw those legislations due to strong resistance.
  •  What should be done:
  • Civil servants play a very important role in governance under these circumstances
  • All actors involved in governance must come together to make decisions.
  • Civil servants must facilitate this coming together with the help of "Network Governance".
  • E-governance can be used to ensure continuous interaction between all the stakeholders.
  • Civil servants must use their communication skills and emotional intelligence to allow all the actors to express their demands in a free and frank manner.
  • Through discussions and negotiations, a decision should be reached that would address the concerns of all the players.
  • Citizen Charter can be formulated by involving the stakeholders and clearly specifying the commitments made by the private sector and state to other stakeholders.
  • The timeline also should be defined clearly to avoid any controversy in the future.
  • Transparency, consensus, participation, and equity should be the basis of decision-making.
  • A social audit committee should be formed to oversee the commitments made in the citizen charter.
  • Media can also be included in the whole process.
  • Long-term commitments should also be given equal importance so that in the future decision implementation should not become a complicated task.
  • To conclude, the Multi-actor paradigm involves constant communication, transparency and accountability, equity, and also futuristic orientation.

MAX WEBER'S BUREAUCRATIC THEORY OF ORGANIZATION (06:06 PM)

  • Max Weber a German sociologist was interested in studying the dynamics of power relationships in society.
  • On the basis of his observations, he concluded that there are three different types of legitimate authority in any society (accepted by People)
  • They are:
  • 1) Traditional Auhtority:
  • In traditional authority, the leader exercises authority over the followers because the followers have respect for traditions and customs but according to Weber, this traditional authority is irrational and also temporary in nature.
  • 2) Charismatic Authority:
  • He is the ruler who exercises authority because the followers believe that the leader has supernatural qualities.
  • This is also irrational because no human being can have supernatural qualities.
  • Since it is irrational, It is also temporary in nature.
  • 3) Rational-Legal Authority:
  • Here the ruler exercises authority strictly according to established laws, rules, and regulations.
  • There is no scope for misuse or abuse of power.
  • As it can be seen in traditional and charismatic authorities.
  • Power is exercised only to realize the objectives of the organization.
  • Since this legal authority is also rational, it is accepted by people for a longer period of time. i.e. this auhtority is permanent.
  • According to Max Weber, This legal authority is exercised by bureaucracy, as part of his bureaucratic theory of organization, he explained all the features of bureaucracy.
  • Bureaucracy is a combination of two words i.e. Bureau and Cracy, Cracy means rule, and bureau means desk or table.
  • Bureaucracy means rule by those who are on the other side of the desk or table.
  • It is an administration carried out according to established laws, rules, and regulations.
  • Features of the Weberian Bureaucracy:
  • Recruitment should be merit-based through open competitive examination.
  • Positions in the bureaucracy should not be hereditary in nature.
  • There is a clear-cut separation of individual and organizational assets.
  • Rationality principle: selecting the right kinds of means to achieve the ends.
  • The bureaucracy should have political neutrality and value neutrality.
  • As per Weber, the bureaucracy is the instrument to achieve a just society.

TOPICS FOR THE NEXT CLASS: WEBERIAN BUREAUCRACY AND CIVIL SERVICES REFORMS.