Rethinking Governance: Empirical Lessons Challenge Orthodoxy

Abstract

In this discussion draft, linking research findings with concrete operational challenges, wereview key issues in worldwide governance, and present recent empirical evidence. Focusing ondefining and unbundling key governance components, such as rule of law, voice and accountability,corruption control and rule of law, we then provide evidence which suggests a sobering picture: onaverage, there appears to be scant progress worldwide in recent times in improving rule of law andgovernance, in controlling corruption, and in improving institutional quality -- although there is clearlyvariance across countries.