ABSTRACT
The ‘governance’ phenomenon indeed is another big idea that has re-emerged in the past decade. The term was first introduced as a panacea for underdevelopment and poverty in the early 1980s, and was suggested as a remedy for many other problems and challenges, as well as being viewed as another ideological excuse for certain power groups to dominate others. At the same time, the term ‘governance’ currently connotes a myriad of meanings depending on the context in which it is being used and what adjectives are added to it. The term undeniably has its significance and philosophy, so it became very popular and a favourite term of many. Hence, this introductory chapter attempts to locate the origin of the term, its meaning, framework and philosophy. An unambiguous understanding of the concept is crucial in order to comprehend its implications for the framework of this research.
