Introduction

Abstract

This chapter explores the need for inclusive governance in South Asia, a region that, as a whole, is more democratic now than at any time in the past, but has the distinction of being misgoverned. Two important reasons that account for misgovernance are lack of accountability on the part of those responsible for governance and lack of any ‘real’ stakeholder involvement in the process of governance. It argues that although the issue of accountability has long been recognized, the issue of stakeholder inclusion in the governing process is of recent origin. Inclusion has two major dimensions: internal and external. Emphasis has so far been given to the external dimension; that is, the need for and difficulties with including outsiders in the governing process. This chapter explores the importance and implications of including those ‘insiders’ who have traditionally been neglected and relegated to secondary importance in the legislature (opposition members and government backbenchers) and the civil service (specialists). The two dimensions are not mutually exclusive; one can reinforce the other. The inclusion of insiders is needed in order to produce better outputs, while making outsiders (stakeholders) part of the governing process is likely to generate better outcomes. The chapter also explores the importance of social accountability as a means of supplementing the traditional methods of accountability.