Relationship Between Governance and Development: Lessons of the Southeast Asian Nations

Abstract

This paper attempts to examine the relationship between governance and development in the state-building process. It argues that political leadership-authoritarianism-is the first and decisive element to bring about economic development before promoting democracy in the Southeast Asian developing countries. Unlike Western-style democratic governance which attaches importance to a democracy-based development strategy, the "economic development first, democracy later" approach to create social and political stability required for economic development proved rational and successful in the state-building of the Southeast Asian region where there is a vast diversity and where a majority of population still lives under the trap of poverty. Not until economic growth is attained, should a transitory period to the sluggish pace of promoting democracy coupled with development of governance institutions be required, otherwise it is likely to drive the governance into collapse. This is a question of good governance in Southeast Asia which provides an illuminating context to examine the region's governmental performances that sharply differ from those in Europe.