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Manual On Good Administration Principles

Famous scholar and philosopher Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) used the term
“good administration” in his work The Muqaddimah by referring that “good
administration is for the benefit of the public.”
The philosopher in Ottoman Empire during the period of ascension Kınalızade
(1510-1579) emphasised that the main virtue of the justice is equality.

The brochures submitted to Murad IV by Koçi Bey in the 17th Century included
general rules applicable in every period, necessary measures for the solution of
the problems of the time, the virtues of the social order as well as opinions and
suggestions on how to restore the State order.
Starting first in the Abbasid Caliphate, Divan-ı Mezalim evolved in Islamic States
and was later re-named as Divan-ı Humayun (The Imperial Council). Through
this structure, the public was able to convey their complaints directly to the
Sultan and thereby injustices were prevented. Moreover, Adaletnames (Law
Books) existing in the Ottoman Empire were an important legal instrument
aiming at achieving good administration.

Recognition of the principles of good administration by legal arrangements in
the West and their use as a reference for legal and administrative audit dates
back to the first movement of constitutionalism. It is observed that though
not involved in the constitutions under the concept of good administration,
fundamental principles of good administration had a coverage in the majority
of the written constitutions. However, the actual development emerged when
the demands of the society regarding the government regime varied due to the
changes in expectations from the administration as a result of the transformation
of the social structures with the effect of globalisation. This development
brought forward changes in government models and understanding of public
administration.
In the new period, while providing services, participation of the society through
the consideration of the demands of the public came into prominence in
order to ensure faster and smoother enjoyment of the public services by the
individuals. When precluding disruptions and breaches of rights arising from
maladministration and intervention in fundamental rights and freedoms were
on the agenda, discussions on ensuring the effective use of legal remedies by
individuals came to light. People plunged into the quest of a government regime
that abided by the obligations of transparency, accountability and information.
Accordingly, the developments in the public administration were named as
good administration.

The proliferation of the Ombudsman Institutions and particularly the efforts of
the European Ombudsman, which started its operations in 1995, to regulate the
good administrative behaviours for the EU Institutions, made the principles of

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