governable

Goernable is an adjective used to describe something that can be governed or controlled by rules, institutions, or authorities. It can refer to a state or political entity, but also to organizations, systems, or processes that can be directed through law, policy, or regulation. The term emphasizes feasibility of governance rather than mere potential.

Etymology: from govern + able; ultimately from Latin gubernare via Old French govern. The related noun governability or governableness appears in political science and management literature to denote the ease with which an entity can be governed. The term contrasts with non-governable or ungovernable, i.e., resistant to governance.

Applications: In political science, governability encompasses state capacity, the rule of law, legitimacy, administrative competence, and social compliance. It informs assessments of how easily governments can implement policies, maintain public order, and deliver services. In management, it describes the extent to which organizational processes, budgets, or programs can be steered and controlled, including by formal controls and incentives. The term is often used in debates about transparency, accountability, and citizen participation; critics note that labeling a population or regime as governable can imply coercion or neglect participatory legitimacy.

See also: governability, governance, government, regulation, legitimacy, state capacity.