Shifting conceptualization of accountability in light of shifting governance patterns

Abstract

Public accountability is a sign of modern and democratic administration. Accountability has become a topic of concern in governance literature. The question of holding politicians and administration accountable in new governance environment, where many traditional means for controlling government no longer fully apply, has gained wide recognition. As a consequence, new types of accountability have been sought and identified. The article discusses the shifting conceptualization of accountability on the basis of Erkkila typology in light of changes in the patterns of administration (governance) in the literature of public administration. It argues that this shift can be related to the structural changes that have taken place in politics and public administrations from the late 1980’s to the present. Also, the argument is made that instead of trying to identify new mechanisms of accountability more attention should be paid to the transformations taking place among traditional mechanisms of accountability and their potential in the new institutional design. Key words: Public accountability, governance, patterns of administration, performance, deliberation.