MAKING ACCOUNTABILITY WORK by Marie-Louise Bemelmans-Videc, Burt Perrin, Jeremy Lonsdale ( 9780765803993 )

Item Details

Title:

MAKING ACCOUNTABILITY WORK
DILEMMAS FOR EVALUATION AND FOR AUDIT

By:

Marie-Louise Bemelmans-Videc, Burt Perrin, Jeremy Lonsdale

Format:

Hardback

List price:

£145.00

Our price:

£130.50

Discount:

10% off

You save:

£14.50

ISBN 10:

0765803992

ISBN 13:

9780765803993

Availability:

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Publisher:

TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

Pub. date:

15 November, 2007

Series:

Comparative Policy Evaluation v. 14

Pages:

290

Description:

Looks at the role of evaluation and of audit as key elements in democratic accountability processes. This book includes case studies and is aimed at serious people who think about trends in the use of evaluation and audit in seeking to hold governments accountable for their actions and performance.

Synopsis:

Like honesty and clean water, "accountability" is invariably seen as a good thing. Conversely, the absence of accountability is associated with most of the greatest abuses in human history. Accountability is thus closely linked with the exercise of power and the legitimacy of policies and those pursuing them. This book looks at the role of evaluation and of audit as key elements in democratic accountability processes. The contributors explore the apparent paradox of there being more accountability-related activities today than ever before, at the same time as much public debate laments what is seen as a lack of actual accountability. Such a situation raises a number of questions: Is there a need for different approaches to establishing accountability or can current arrangements be modified to make them more effective? Are present practices part of the problem and are they preventing a mature debate about performance improvement taking place? How can systems awash with performance information ensure that at least some of it makes sense to a wide range of potential users?How is it that greater accountability and transparency can so quickly have become associated with concerns about perverse incentives and be seen by some as a costly burden? The volume includes detailed case studies and synthesizes up-to-date research evidence drawn from very different governmental systems, ending with practical advice for those involved in the accountability processes. In doing so, it attempts to address both conceptual ambiguities about the notion of "accountability" and the practical uncertainties over its implications for democratic government. This book is aimed at serious people who think about trends in the use of evaluation and audit in seeking to hold governments accountable for their actions and performance.

Illustrations:

Illustrations

Publication:

Imprint:

Transaction Publishers

Returns:

Returnable

Some other items by this author:

AUDITING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR (HB)

CARROTS, STICKS, AND SERMONS

MAKING ACCOUNTABILITY WORK

MAKING ACCOUNTABILITY WORK (PB)