Building Infrastructures for
Accountability
Understanding Democratic Control and
Administrative Effectiveness
JOHN JOSEPH P. BANTICIL
● UNDERSTANDING HOW PUBLIC LAW
REINFORCES ADMINISTRATIVE
RESPONSIBILITY
● ADVANCING GOOD GOVERNMENT THROUGH
FIGHTING CORRUPTION
● USING TRANSPARENCY TO REINFORCE
RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS
● USING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TO ENHANCE
CITIZEN VOICE AND PROMOTE
ACCOUNTABILITY
Chapter 5
UNDERSTANDING HOW PUBLIC LAW
REINFORCES ADMINISTRATIVE
RESPONSIBILITY
What is Administrative Accountability?
Administrative Accountability:
The responsibility of government officials and institutions to act within the bounds of law and
ethical standards while ensuring they efficiently perform their duties. It involves a balance between
allowing them the freedom to make decisions and requiring them to follow rules and report their
actions to the public or higher authorities.
Two key goals:
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Democratic control: Ensuring that government actions reflect the will and interests of
the public.
Administrative effectiveness: Making sure government operations are efficient and
achieving their goals.
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The Role of Law in Accountability
Key Points:
● Laws set boundaries: These prevent government workers from abusing
their power, ensuring citizen protection.
● Laws empower action: They don’t just restrict but also provide the legal
framework for effective governance.
● Protection from misuse: Laws are like a safety net that prevents the
government from overstepping its bounds.
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Changes in Government Accountability
Recent Developments:
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Private companies in government work: Governments increasingly
outsource jobs, which complicates accountability because responsibility is
shared.
Complex relationships between government levels: Different tiers of
government often work together, creating new challenges for oversight.
Technology creates new challenges: Digital advancements introduce new
ways for governments to operate, but also new ways they can fail or be held
accountable.
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Accountability in Modern Governance
Challenges:
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Networks of service providers: Governments work with many external groups,
making accountability spread across many actors.
Contracts between governments: Agreements between different government
levels can blur the lines of responsibility.
Limited resources: Governments are often asked to do more with fewer
resources, making accountability harder to maintain.
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The Courts and Accountability
Important Points:
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Courts interpret rules: Courts play a critical role in clarifying how laws should be
applied in real-world situations.
Balance flexibility and control: They help ensure a balance between giving
government officials flexibility in their work and ensuring they follow the rules.
Adapting to new situations: Courts also help apply existing laws to new
scenarios, like new technology or government outsourcing.
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Conclusion
Key takeaways:
● Accountability is essential: It’s vital for good governance and public
trust.
● Balance is key: Governments need to maintain both control and
flexibility to be effective.
● It’s evolving: Accountability mechanisms must adapt to new challenges,
like technological changes or more complex governance structures.
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Chapter 6
ADVANCING GOOD GOVERNMENT THROUGH
FIGHTING CORRUPTION
Understanding Corruption in Government
● Corruption as a symptom of poor state management
● A historic challenge in public administration
● From Progressive era reforms to modern democracy
transitions
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Types of Corruption
Many Faces of Corruption
1. Clear illegal acts: theft, embezzlement
2. Gray area activities:
Gift giving
Reciprocal favors
Side payments
Patronage appointments
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3. Modern challenges: government contracting, campaign financing, lobbying
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Challenges in Fighting Corruption
Why Fighting Corruption is Complex?
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Varies by time and place
Societal and professional norms matter
Some argue small corruption can help efficiency
Slippery slope problem
Affects both developing and developed countries
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Private Sector Corruption
Corruption Beyond Government
● Not limited to public sector
● Recent examples:
○ Bank fines for illegal practices
○ Fraudulent billing to government
○ Insider trading convictions
○ Corporate executive misconduct
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Theoretical Approaches
Corruption Beyond Government
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Principal-Agent Theory: A framework that examines the relationship between citizens (principals)
and government officials (agents), emphasizing the potential for corruption when agents prioritize
their own interests over their duties to the public.
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Democratic Theory: The perspective that corruption undermines democratic values, erodes public
trust, and disempowers citizens, violating the principles of fair representation and governance.
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Social Constructivism: A theory suggesting that the definition and perception of corruption can
vary significantly across different cultures and societies, shaped by social norms and contexts.
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"Bad Apples" Theory: The idea that corruption primarily arises from individuals with poor moral
character rather than systemic issues within organizations or governments
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What Research Tells Us
Key Findings from Corruption Research
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Democracies generally less corrupt than autocracies
Economic development reduces corruption
Free press helps expose corruption
Independent judiciary crucial
Professional bureaucracies reduce corruption
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Strategies to Reduce Corruption
Fighting Corruption: A Multi-Faceted Approach
Procedural Factors
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Open records laws
Public meetings
Financial transparency
Cultural Factors
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Professional norms
Public expectations
Civil society engagement
Institutional Factors
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Separation of powers
Oversight mechanisms
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Chapter 7
USING TRANSPARENCY TO REINFORCE
RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS
Knowledge about Effective Practice
Transparency: Letting people outside government see what's happening
inside
Two main factors affect transparency:
1.
2.
Relationships between public and government
Quality of shared information
Information quality matters:
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Completeness
Usability
Color (bias)
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How Transparency Affects Public Management:
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Can improve accountability
May lead to defensive behaviors
Might cause "conformist behavior"
Could result in minimum compliance
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Impact on Citizens' Perceptions
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Citizens often misunderstand government services
Transparency can improve understanding
Mixed effects on trust in government
Cultural differences matter
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Judgments about Effective Practice
Important Considerations:
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Transparency as both means and end
Need for clear objectives
Different types of transparency
Policy area differences
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Consequences for Different Groups
● Not all citizens can use information equally
● Factors affecting information use:
1.
Motivation
2.
Cognitive capacity
3.
Social location
● May increase inequality
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Implications and Summary
● Not all transparency outcomes are positive
● Need to reduce ambiguity
● Relationship between transparency and accountability is
complex
● Technology creates new challenges and opportunities
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Chapter 8
USING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TO ENHANCE
CITIZEN VOICE AND PROMOTE
ACCOUNTABILITY
Public Participation and Accountability
● Understanding different forms of participation
● How participation enhances citizen voice
● Promoting accountability through public engagement
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The Current State of Citizenship and Democracy
Growing "citizenship deficit"
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Less civic engagement
Declining voter turnout
Lower trust in government
Rising "democratic deficit"
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Gap between public opinions and political decisions
Increased polarization
Money's influence in politics
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Understanding Accountability
What is accountability?
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Government officials answerable to citizens
More than just financial responsibility
Three types of accountability:
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2.
3.
Financial - How money is handled
Fairness - How citizens are treated
Performance - What government actually does
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Understanding Public Participation
Definition: How people's concerns and values are included
in government decisions
Three main types:
1.
2.
3.
Conventional Participation
Thin Participation
Thick Participation
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Conventional Participation
Most common form
Limitations:
Typical format:
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Public meetings
Officials at front
Citizens in rows
2-3 minute speaking time
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Often frustrating for all
involved
Amplifies extreme voices
Creates tension
May lower trust
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Thin Participation
Fast and convenient
Examples:
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Online petitions
Social media engagement
Surveys
Limitations:
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May not be representative
Online anonymity issues
Digital divide concerns
Benefits:
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Easy to do
Can reach many people quickly
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Thick Participation
Most meaningful but least common
Benefits:
Key features:
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Uses deliberation (careful
discussion)
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Involves diverse groups
Structured, facilitated discussions
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Aims for tangible outcomes
Better understanding
of public views
Can break political
deadlock
Most likely to improve
accountability
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Design Choices for Better Participation
Key considerations:
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4.
5.
Participant selection - who's involved
Preparation - information provided
Communication - how people interact
Recommendations - what comes out of it
Policy connection - how it affects decisions
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Conclusion
Participation can improve accountability
2. Different forms have different impacts
3. Thick participation most effective
4. Need for better design in participation processes
1.
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