2007年VOA标准英语-World Bank Releases Governance Report

By Ivana Kuhar
Washington
11 July 2007
 

World Bank Governance report

According to the World Bank, a number of countries are making progress in improving governance and fighting corruption¹.  In a new report released Tuesday, the World Bank says good governance and corruption control are fundamental for economic development and the reduction of poverty.  For producer Ivana Kuhar, VOA's Jim Bertel has more.

"Governance" is a relatively² new term referring to the effectiveness of institutions, business and civic³ mechanisms⁴, and policies governing a country.  In a report released Tuesday,  "Worldwide Governance Indicators⁵ 1996 - 2006", the World Bank says a considerable number of countries have made great strides in improving governance over the past decade. 

Good governance results in higher standards of living for all population segments, says co-author of the report Daniel Kaufman. "A country that improves significantly in the quality of rule of law or in controlling corruption, in the long term can expect a three-fold increase in per capita income:  going from $1,000 per year to $3,000 or from $8,000 to $24,000 per year.

It takes a while to reap all the fruits. But, they are enormous. Similarly, one gets the same type of impact on reducing infant mortality, improving illiteracy⁶, less income inequality, less poverty and much more investment - domestic and foreign," adds Kaufman.

While governance is measured by a complex set of interdependent criteria⁷, the World Bank expert points to corruption as a principal impediment to economic progress.

"Corruption is a one trillion dollar industry in terms of bribery⁸ around the world. It is an enormous amount, and it comes at an enormous cost," says Kaufman. "It is particularly taxing on the poor.  It is like an additional tax on the lower half of the population. It has a tremendous impact in terms of standards of living, poverty, access to basic services, like health and education."

International financial institutions are increasingly basing their aid and loans on the condition that recipients⁹ undertake reforms that ensure "good governance", says the World Bank expert.

Nordic European countries -- Denmark and Finland -- score almost 100 percent in all six measured categories of good governance.  But, Kaufman says a number of European countries in transition are making great strides in improving governance. "The data shows how much it is possible in 8-10 years to make a difference.  For example, Serbia -- a big difference has taken place; Slovakia -- very significant changes since mid-1990s."

The World Bank's report on quality of governance shows major deteriorations in Belarus, Nepal, Bolivia, Zimbabwe and Venezuela.

1 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

2 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

3 civic   

adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

参考例句：

• I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
• The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。

4 mechanisms   

n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 indicators   

（仪器上显示温度、压力、耗油量等的）指针( indicator的名词复数 )； 指示物； （车辆上的）转弯指示灯； 指示信号

参考例句：

• The economic indicators are better than expected. 经济指标比预期的好。
• It is still difficult to develop indicators for many concepts used in social science. 为社会科学领域的许多概念确立一个指标仍然很难。

6 illiteracy   

n.文盲

参考例句：

• It is encouraging to read that illiteracy is declining.从读报中了解文盲情况正在好转，这是令人鼓舞的。
• We must do away with illiteracy.我们必须扫除文盲。

7 criteria   

n.标准

参考例句：

• The main criterion is value for money.主要的标准是钱要用得划算。
• There are strict criteria for inclusion in the competition.参赛的标准很严格。

8 bribery   

n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿

参考例句：

• FBI found out that the senator committed bribery.美国联邦调查局查明这个参议员有受贿行为。
• He was charged with bribery.他被指控受贿。

9 recipients   

adj.接受的；受领的；容纳的；愿意接受的n.收件人；接受者；受领者；接受器

参考例句：

• The recipients of the prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者的姓名登在报上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The recipients of prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者名单登在报上。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》