In our conception of governance, the uniform and universal models based on the good governance concept, which some think States should apply like a ‘kit’ as a basis for their legality, are not the only choice: governance is, rather, the art of governing by applying management of the public sphere at different territorial levels, from the local to the global; it is the art of regulating relationships within each society.
In lieu of ‘good governance’, we prefer legitimate governance in the sense of management of public affairs and the exercise of power at the service of the common good with the support and under the control of those over whom this power is exercised.
Unlike supporters of current approaches, we do not think the definition of instruments for measuring and monitoring governance can replace a prior identification of the changes desired by protagonists.
View the document Towards legitimate governance - Paper n° 2007-03
Vieux the document Let us change Africa, 15 ways to start