Governatge

Governatge is a term used in Catalan to denote governance—the system, processes, and practices by which public power is exercised and regulated. In political science and public administration, governatge refers to how authority is organized, distributed, and accountable within a state, region, or organization, including the institutions, rules, and norms that shape decision-making and resource allocation.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the root govern, with the suffix -atge forming nouns related to administration or management. In Catalan and other Romance-language contexts, governatge emphasizes governance as a broader, process-oriented concept rather than the single body known as a government.

Scope and dimensions: Governance covers public and corporate contexts. In the public sector, it includes parliament, executive, judiciary, and administrative agencies, as well as civil society and media engagement. Common dimensions include transparency, accountability, the rule of law, participation, effectiveness, efficiency, and equity.

Global and critical perspectives: Modern governance discussions draw on international standards such as United Nations and World Bank indicators, emphasizing accountability, anti-corruption, and performance. Critics argue that governance can be an abstract label that masks implementation gaps, cultural differences, or political bias when used to assess countries or organizations.