4.7 Expanding Roles of Civil Society and Private Sector
Effective governance is the process of fostering interaction between actors from the civil society, the private sector and the state. Traditionally, mistrust – and in many cases hostilities – between the public and the private sector have constrained complementary actions on both sides. This had gradually, but significantly affected the role of public administration and the way this role is performed. Similarly, lack of trust and good will characterizes relationships between the State and the civil society actors. The practice in developing countries shows that each of these actors have their strengths – the State in providing the economic and legal framework, the private sector in creating jobs that provide income to improve living conditions, and the civil society in protecting rights of all citizens and facilitating their participation. Where they work together – as in the case of Japan and Korea – the capability of the society to deal with its economic and social problems is enhanced.