9781422282717

Chapter One

WHAT IS GOOD GOVERNANCE?

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Words to Understand

corruption: illegal or unethical behavior on the part of officials who abuse their position. democracy: a government in which the people hold all or most political power and express their preferences on issues through regular voting and elections. dictatorship: rule by a single individual, a dictator, who holds all or most political power and is not accountable to the citizens of a nation. good governance: the political processes by which governmental institutions promote and protect political, social, and economic rights. minority: a group that is different—ethnically, racially, culturally, or in terms of religion—within a larger society. referendum: a direct vote by citizens on an issue.

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