GOVT3987 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Complex System
29 May 2019
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Sometimes responsibility = accountability ie - sometimes responsibility may be internal/ self-directed. Accountability is obligation to answer to another. Transparency refers mainly to openness of information. Obligation to answer for actions or duties performed". Two-sided relationship (i) person/group who is given tasks (agent) (ii) person/group who delegates or authorises (principal), How? leader (prime minister or president) ministers agency heads individual public servants. Leaders answer to people, justify their conduct, face possible rectification requires effective and honest legal institutions. Committee inquiries, also public servants; effective at informing and discussing (not (i) directly accountable to citizens (a) elections. Grievance procedures useful but may be inconclusive. Media and civil society (iii) indirectly to people through media and civil society (a) media effectiveness) (d) ombudsmen power to investigate, report and recommend. Performance audit (efficiency and power to investigate, report and recommend. Usually restricted to particular area of government.
