Abstract
Paper analyzes and evaluates main approaches to measuring of the governance in the world. In the first part, concept of governance is specified and methodology of measurement is described.
The second part classifies main approaches and evaluates its strong and weak points with focus on the practical use of indicators. Study concludes that indicators are applied in a plenty of branches in the social research and political, administrative and managerial practice.
Even though, all of the evaluated approaches and indicators have one or more serious methodological or substantive shortcomings. The most serious problem is ambiguity of the concept of governance itself.
Vagueness of the individual components of the governance, its relations and way of its measuring may have very concrete implications on both, research and practice. Lack of reliable primary data with sufficient geographical coverage is also critical.
Consequence of this shortage is a tendency to using a limited number of data sources and its inadequate usage. Conclusions based on the data intended for other purposes than governance measurement have often poor validity and it is easy to call them into question.
Promise to the future might be the second generation of indicators which intend to be objective, specific and practical.