The Singapore-based Chandler Institute of Governance recently released its Good Government Index 2022. The Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) measures Government capabilities and outcomes across 104 countries covering roughly 90% of the world’s population.

The Index comprises seven well-constructed pillars of good governance, built up on extremely relevant key parameters as follows:

1.    Leadership and Foresight: Anti Corruption, Long Term Vision, Adaptability, Strategic prioritisation, Innovation, and Ethical leadership
2.    Robust laws and practices: Rule of Law, Quality of Judiciary, Regulatory governance
3.    Strong Institutions: Coordination, Data Capability, Implementation, Quality of Bureaucracy
4.    Financial Stewardship: Government Debt, Country Budget Surplus, Spending Efficiency, Country Risk Premium
5.    Attractive Marketplace: Property rights, Attractive Investments, Logistics Competence, Stable Business Regulations, Tax Efficiency
6.    Global Influence and Reputation: International Trade, International Diplomacy, Nation Brand, Passport Strength

And the last, but not certainly the least and in fact, in my view, for a developing nation like ours the most important yardstick for any Government:

7.    Helping People Rise: Education, Health, Satisfaction with Public Service, Personal Safety, Environmental performance, Income equality, Social Mobility, Gender Gap, Non-discrimination.

As brought out in the report, three capabilities in particular were most closely related to overall Government scoring. These are
 
1.    Rule of Law
2.    Property Rights
3.    Anti-Corruption

These three attributes are essentially foundations of good governance and national development.

India ranks overall 52, that is, exactly at midpoint of 104 countries ranked. In relative ranking in terms of the above pillars, it ranks above average in Leadership and Foresight (rank 33) but ranks below average in Helping People Rise (rank 87). In other five pillars, as listed above, it generally ranks average between 42 and 53.

Just for information of readers, Finland tops the rank while Venezuela is placed at the bottom. USA ranks 18, while China is ranked 40.

Rome was not built in a day, as the saying goes. The Good Government Index, which is fairly stable generally, is built on systems, institutions, processes, skill elements that take years to build and develop.

For India, there is a long way to go to reach top 25% and for this to happen, policy makers and bureaucrats have to conceptualise and deliver on the framework and parameters enumerated in earlier paragraphs.

Mishra is a columnist.