Dynamical systems picture of computing

Abstract

Abstract This introductory chapter sets out the theoretical foundations for ‘deliberative accountability’ and describes the three metrics by which to evaluate the quality of deliberative accountability—namely, respect among actors, the extent to which partisan-point scoring replaces reason-giving, and a reciprocal dialogue. The context in which these are explored is parliamentary select committee hearings on monetary policy, financial stability and fiscal policy. In these hearings, parliamentarians in the Treasury Select Committee and the Economic Affairs Committee hold central bankers, Treasury officials, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to account for their policy decisions. In this adversarial context, the relationship between parliamentarians and witnesses is hierarchical, which makes deliberative accountability a unique term which is distinct from either deliberation or accountability. The chapter also outlines briefly the mixed methods applied to gauge deliberative accountability, including quantitative text analysis, an experimental approach to gauge nonverbal behaviour by actors, and elite interviews with key participants in the hearings.