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Plato laid out the blueprint for the ideal governor in "THE REPBLIC". Trained
rigorously. this person would be the only one capable of making all decisions in the best
interest of the people. Modern versions of this exist. but most practicing politicians and public
servants. have learned "on the job" even though they may have had some courses in political
philosophy or political science. Better perhaps to have studied Machiavellian.

It is my strougly held view that the single biggest barrier to Good Governance is
the inability of politicians and bureaucrats to understand their roles and to work together in
the service of the community at large and individual citizens in particular. And I do not see
this so much as an unwillingness to learn as a perhaps necessary tension and a need to balance
the roles so that they are complementary and not adversarial.

Civil servants/public servants and politicians alike ought to have service to the
public as their central focus and commitment. The citizens are their shareholders.

It has been popular in recent years to suggest taking a private sector approach. or
a service quality approach. but that is simply not enough. Public officials must. at the same
time. provide access to information and protect the privacy of invividuals and proups. They
must protect and promote human rights and democracy but also ensure the rule of law. They
must provide cost efficient and quality services and be accountable to the taxpayer for the

public purse. and at the same time make government services 'user friendly. responsive and
accessible.

They must exercise their considerable power in a manner that builds trust and
confidence. and with integrity. It has been said that integrity. once lost. can never be regained.
And the public is disillusioned today more than ever with government. with politicians and
with public servants. How then can we regain their trust and respect? Assuming that most

politicians run for election because they really do want to serve the public. and the most public
sevants enter government service because they too want to serve the public. or in the Thai
tradition to serve the King whose whole life is an impeccable example of service to the people.
assuming that service is the basic motivation how can we establish trust and respect and
integrity?

I pose these questions because I think we are will on the way in our respective
countries to establishing the institution. the lays. the policies and the processes. which should

guarantee effective. honest. equitable and accountable exercise of power. The values that
underlie good governance of justice. equity. participation and accountability are deeply held.
Government institutions. justice systems and civil society organizations are for the most part
struggling to ensure equitable distribution of power and resources and public participation in
decisionmaking.