Words / C1

GUV-uh-n-uh-ns/ˈɡʌvənəns/

Governance is how an organisation or country is directed and held to account: corporate governance, poor governance. Government is the people/institutions that rule a state; management is day-to-day running. A governance review looks at boards, audits, and rules. Do not call a missing stapler a governance crisis.

Meaning

The way an organisation or country is run and held to account.

Examples

• “Poor governance, not a missing slogan, sank the charity.”
• “The charity failed on governance: no independent chair, no conflict log.”
• “Government sets statute; governance is whether your board actually checks the books.”

Good to know

How a body is run and scrutinised. Contrast: government (the state). Day-to-day: management. Not a stationery shortage.

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