Good Governance

Here's a great UN site that gives details background into this complex topic.

Something like a historian

Thinking Like a Historian is a little gem. Put out by those fine folks at the Wisconsin Historical Society this graphic organizer, historiography 95mb downloadable guide is phenomenal.
The guiding principles of historical thinking are divided into

-Cause and Effect
-Change and Continuity
-Turning Points
-Using the Past
-Through Their Eyes

The charts are a great starting point but scratch below the surface and you'll be richly rewarded.