The study stems out of the growing concern among key governance stakeholders such as citizens, civil societies, political parties, international development organizations among other actors on the need to ensure accountability of public officials and improved public service delivery. The paper employs historical method to reveal the essence and domains of the concept of public accountability. The study traces the roots of the word and provides the justification for “accountor” and “accountee” behavior and relationship. Finally, the study outlines the importance of the concept in modern day politics
Table of Contents
1. Background
2. The Concept of Accountability
3. Domains of Accountability
3.1 Financial Accountability
3.2 Legal Accountability
3.3 Political Accountability
3.4 Administrative Accountability
3.5 Social Accountability
4. Relevance of Accountability in Modern State Politics
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This study explores the foundational essence and various domains of public accountability, examining the relationship between "accountors" and "accuntees" within the context of governance and modern state politics. It aims to clarify the conceptual framework of accountability and its necessity in ensuring ethical public administration.
- The historical evolution and theoretical roots of the accountability concept.
- The identification and classification of the five primary domains of accountability.
- The application of social contract theory to contemporary representative democracies.
- The roles and obligations of public officials in maintaining public trust.
- The mechanisms required for ensuring effective stewardship of state resources.
Excerpt from the Book
The Concept of Accountability
Accountability is often used in both public and private discourses, in public and private administration literature and in most policy literature and practices. Recently, the concept has become one of the important elements of good governance. However, the term has equally developed into such an elusive, "chameleon" word making it difficult to find a single definition. (Day and Klein 1987:3; Gray and Jenkins 1985: 138; Glynn and Murphy 1996:123; Bovens 2006:5 Demirag and Khadaroo 2008: 474).
Bovens argues that accountability is a form of relationship that exist between an actor and a forum in which the actor has an obligation to explain and to justify his or her conduct, and the forum can pose questions and pass judgment, which may result in the actor facing some consequences. (Bovens 2006:9). In the same vein, the International Professional Institute in the United Kingdom has observed that:
Holding someone accountable for something is to explain or justify the acts, omissions, risks and dependencies for which one is responsible to people with a legitimate interest (...) To ensure accountability, acts, omissions, risks and dependencies need to be accounted for. (The UK International Professional Institute of Accountability 1999:8)
Day and Klein in their discussion on: “Accountabilities: five public services” (1987:5) shared the view that one could not be accountable to anyone, unless one had the responsibility for doing something. Day and Klein argue that whenever one accepts a responsibility to act on behalf of another person or group of persons, accountability relationship is established.
Summary of Chapters
Background: Provides a historical perspective on the importance of accountability in governance, citing insights from Aristotle and Kautilya on the misappropriation of public funds.
The Concept of Accountability: Examines the multifaceted definition of accountability and outlines the key elements required to establish an accountability relationship between agents and principals.
Domains of Accountability: Details the five main areas of accountability, specifically financial, legal, political, administrative, and social accountability.
Financial Accountability: Focuses on the prudent management of public resources and the requirement for ethical reporting and transparency.
Legal Accountability: Discusses the role of the courts and established legal standards in ensuring public officials act fairly and within the law.
Political Accountability: Explains the obligation of politicians to act in the best interests of the masses they represent.
Administrative Accountability: Describes the managerial mechanisms used to ensure that bureaucracies operate efficiently according to performance criteria.
Social Accountability: Outlines the mechanisms beyond voting that citizens and societal actors use to hold the state accountable for social and ethical standards.
Relevance of Accountability in Modern State Politics: Applies the social contract theory to demonstrate why representative governments must remain accountable to the public.
Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, emphasizing that accountability is a mandatory condition for any agent acting on behalf of the public.
Keywords
Public, Accountability, Accountor, Accountee, Behavior, Relationship, Actors, Domains, State, Politics, Good Governance, Stewardship, Social Contract, Public Resources, Transparency
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the essential nature of public accountability and its role in modern governance, specifically focusing on the relationship between public officials and the citizenry.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the theoretical definition of accountability, the distinction between various domains of responsibility, and the ethical obligation of public servants to their stakeholders.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The primary objective is to reveal the essence of public accountability by tracing its historical roots and defining the contractual relationship between those who are held accountable and those who hold them accountable.
Which scientific method is utilized in this paper?
The author employs a historical method to analyze existing literature and theoretical frameworks regarding accountability and the social contract.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body covers the conceptual definition of accountability, a breakdown of five distinct domains of accountability, and a discussion of how social contract theory justifies the need for accountability in democracies.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include public accountability, accountor, accountee, state, politics, stewardship, and governance.
How does the author define the relationship between the "accountor" and "accountee"?
The "accountee" is the agent entrusted with responsibility, while the "accountor" is the principal to whom the account is rendered. The relationship is inherently contractual and based on the trust that power is exercised for the public good.
Why is social contract theory relevant to the author's argument on accountability?
Social contract theory provides a historical basis for the idea that legitimacy in a democracy stems from the people. Since power is granted by the citizens, they maintain the right to hold their agents accountable for both actions and inactions.
- Citar trabajo
- Samuel Asamoah (Autor), 2015, Responsible Government. The Essence of Public Accountability, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/307991
