The 10 chapters in this volume were selected from 24 papers presented at a regional conference on Promoting Good Governance and Wider Civil Society Participation in Eastern and Southern Africa. The Conference sought to: Enhance the role of the social science disciplines in the evolving patterns and trends of democratic governance and economic management in the region; Enhance the contribution of universities and research institutes toward the promotion of good governance in the region; Suggest ways and means of minimising the political, economic and social costs of transition from one-party and authoritarian regime types to democratic, open and transparent governance; Explore new approaches for promoting accountability, transparency, and responsiveness of government administration to the people; Explore viable ways and means of capacity building of civil societies, and strengthening the role of civil society organisations in promoting good governance and serving as a link between governments and the public at large.