Question

Recently, a major theme in administrative reform emphasizes the value of accountability. (a) What are some of the basis of this theme? (b) How has it manifested itself in recent government reform efforts? (c) Does the value of accountability conflict with other important values in government? If so, which ones, and how has the conflict manifested itself? (d) Has the emphasis on accountability been a positive influence on government?

Answer 1

The term accountability means responsibility. If someone is in charge of something or if something is in their control that means they are responsible for the same. It becomes the prime responsibility of the person in charge to finish the task in the given time and in efficient manner. Hence it is the sense of responsibility.

a. The basis of such theme is

• Good corporate governance: Governance means the art of authority. The jurisdiction is specified and the policy making is on that basis. The higher the governance the higher is the accountability.
• Legal aspect: the need of accountability is in every aspect and for better compliance. One should know the boundaries and should make sure that activities are not ultra virus to their job
• Employee -Employer relationship: The responsibilities and accountabilities clearly define the role of the employees and employer hence eliminating idle gossip and dis- interest behavior. This is the key element is this relationship. As this relationship is visible in every sector whether private or public whether government or non government therefore this clearly explains the job of each other
• It develops the need of confidence and ownership: The work given to employee or any person makes them feel responsible. Moreover the duty clearly defines the value of the work hence gaining confidence to the workers.
• The other basis are
  • trust and loyalty
  • sense of recognition
  • Transformation of services
  • limiting the time of services
  • Honesty, integrity and transparency in the working culture.

b. It has manifested in the government reform efforts as

• The current situation of government shows the weakness of the officials and corruption activities conducted by their end which has disturbed the department. Implementing the accountability in this department will improve the current situation
• The government collects the income from in citizen in the form of taxes and the citizens have the complete right to enquire about the funds and its distribution. To make this possible there was the need of transparency in the department. The transparency can only be achieved when there is accountability.
• The accountability has promoted good governance and limiting the authority as per the jurisdiction.
• The projects handles by every states is the duty of minister hence making them accountable and not the team conducting those projects is the better option
• The nature of accountability is such that it helps in eliminating the mistakes of repetition.
• It has helped in reducing the gap between the government and the public.
• The miscellaneous efforts includes
  • Proper scrutiny of funds
  • proper line of authority
  • data accuracy
  • proper flow of information between the government and the citizens.

c. The other values of government includes transparency, professionalism, leadership, and equality

• Transparency: The transparency and accountability go hand in hand as to be responsible one has to be transparent in its working. Therefore the accountability has supported this value
• Professionalism: The government aim at finishing the task so that their responsibility is finished. In building the trust among the public the government is forgoing the steps of efficient professionalism. Therefore yes there is conflict in these two values as the officials in trying to become more accountable are losing the quality of professionalism and there is visible shift to gain public trust has become there priority.
• Leadership: The leadership value of government is also on stake as the leaders are supposed to handle more than one project. In the government sectors the ministers are heads of more than one project therefore to decide the priority is sometimes not possible therefore in those cases neither they become accountable nor leaders.
• Equality : The accountability has supported equality and integrity as the government appoints those official whom they think are accountable and integrity and equality is maintained as the value.

Therefore the conflicts in the value of accountability lie between the professionalism and leadership.

d. The coin always have two sides, but to focus more on either side is in your hand. Similarly the accountability has both positive and negative impacts but to implement which aspects is in your hand. According to me Accountability has created positive impact on government as the base of which there was need are solving. Moreover :

• The more the government accountable the more it is democratic.
• The information provided from government on online dashboard is more clear and accurate.
• The trust of citizen has been build for government as they feel more connected.
• The dialogue communication has build between the citizens and government.
• Corruption has been minimized. E.g. Singapore.
• Use of proper compliance and principal in government official system.
• The root cause analysis is established in the department.
• Follow of proper work breakdown structure.

Hence yes we cannot deny that the accountability do have negative aspects however the proper balance of accountability and other value will always benefit the government and moreover the government should know what is right for its citizens and the citizens should have full knowledge of their funds.