Globalisation of leadership and governance for development : quo vadis

Abstract

Paper presented at the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) 10th Annual Conference, Boardwalk, Port Elizabeth, 7-9 October 2009. The Conference theme was "The changing face of leadership and governance: adapt, influence, sustain".

The present global leadership and governance in the development scenario has in to several debates on the manner in which development can be achieved. The argument has been critical in improving the welfare and prosperity of millions of people in developing countries. The discourse has also affected the leadership and governance approach used by developed countries in supporting the developing ones. Since the industrialisation and successful wealth generation of the countries of the North, development has become the Holy Grail amongst developing countries as they have to emulate the North’s modernised paradigms as new paths to developing the countries of the South. The article seeks to deal with the foundational theories of development and its consequences in developing countries aimed at exploring how leadership and governance in development and globalisation are linked in addressing issues of underdevelopment within the global terrain. The role of global leadership and governance, its shortcomings and possible benefits converge to form the argument that provides the problems which the article is envisaged to address. The article uses development to mean that everyone is able to have a better life now and in the future, which may include greater access to food, employment or creativity, health care, freedom of expression and living without fear.