ABSTRACT
The term good governance is sometimes questioned as being counterproductively value-laden. The questioners say that societies have governance much as people have personalities, and little may be served by judging either as good or bad without specifying particular goals. One society's manner of governance may be good for addressing long-term environmental issues but bad for ensuring that the needs of the present are met. Nevertheless, the term can be used with advantage as long as its relative nature and precise components are clearly understood.
