Good Governance and Political Communication in the EU

Originally stemming from the necessity of establishing a “better” governmental system in development countries, the term Good Governance refers in general on how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources including the process of decision-making and decisions-implementation. As pointed out by the European Commission and specified by the United Nations “Good Governance” is mainly based on five characteristics: Openness, Participation, Accountability, Effectiveness, and Coherence. Taking into account these principles, it is evident that there is an interdependence between a functioning political communication system and “Good Governance” in the EU. The existing decision and control mechanism inside the EU-decision process must be enforced not only by (transnational)media but above all by the “power” of the European citizens as a new force in promoting and claiming the fulfillment of the “Good Governance” criteria. It can be shown that through the establishment of specific internet networks (social media) a new age of international political communication in a new interactive way has started, which will help as a consequence in reducing the well-known democratic deficit in the European Union.