Accountability Through Thick and Thin: Preliminary Explorations

Abstract

The following is a written version – actually a revised elaboration – of a presentation made before colleagues at the Queen’s University of Belfast on Thursday, December 4, 2003. I used the occasion of this Institute of Governance “Brown Bag Seminar ” to unveil some ideas that had been subject to many hours of discussion over coffee with Masood Kahn, a Commonwealth Fellow at QUB and judge from Pakistan who brought a great deal of insight and enthusiasm to our exchanges. 1 The model and speculations are offered here with the intention of generating comments, suggestions and feedback. I have already gained a great deal from ideas generated at and after the presentation, and I hope for even more reactions and ideas. This is part of a more general project on “The Promises of Accountability ” which has already produced work on accountability and the promises of ethical behavior (Dubnick 2003a) and enhanced administrative performance (Dubnick 2003b). The promise of democracy, however, stands as a significant challenge requiring a reconceptualization of basic terminology and assumptions from the outset. I welcome any assistance in this regard. Please contact me with your thoughts at

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