Dubnick, Melvin J., “Accountability as Cultural Keyword.” In the Oxford Handbook of Public Accountability, edited by Mark Bovens, Robert E. Goodin, and Thomas Schillemans. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014: 23-38.
Abstract: This chapter examines the emergence of accountability as a culturally significant concept that both reflects and shapes changes taking place in our understanding of contemporary governance. Dubnick explores how its emergence as a “cultural keyword” has transformed both the form and function of accountability, and the challenges this development poses for the study of accountable governance.
AI-Generated Summary:
This document explores the cultural significance and evolving usage of the concept of accountability in society and governance.
The Cultural Significance of Words
- Words matter as keys to understanding societal changes, with accountability emerging as a prominent keyword.
- Its usage increased sharply from the 1960s onward, reflecting a broad cultural obsession.
Evolution and Usage of “Accountability”
- The term’s meaning expanded from a narrow sense of answerability to a complex, ambiguous concept across domains.
- It is often context-dependent, linked to various synonyms like responsibility, liability, and answerability, which vary by setting.
Challenges in Defining Accountability
- Dictionary definitions are circular, emphasizing synonyms without clarifying intrinsic qualities.
- Etymology shows roots in counting and reckoning, originally related to bookkeeping, not modern moral or social standards.
Discourse and Narrative Constructions
- Accountability is shaped by discourses such as institutionalization, mechanization, juridicization, and incentivization.
- These discourses embed accountability into narratives promising democracy, control, justice, or performance, influencing its societal role.
Pragmatic and Contextual Meaning
- The word’s meaning depends heavily on context, with usage patterns shifting over time and across sectors.
- Media data shows increased references to financial, corporate, and government accountability, often tied to economic and political crises.
Conceptual Framework of Accountability
- It is a high-synonymity concept linked to related ideas like responsibility and answerability.
- The concept is central in political and social thought, often associated with democracy and moral virtues.
Accountability as a Power Mechanism
- Beyond virtue, accountability functions as a tool for enforcing compliance and driving governance reforms.
- It operates through external moral pressure and internal ethical commitments, shaping organizational and political behavior.
Evolving Concept of Accountability
- Accountability now encompasses responsibility, answerability, and obligation as a cultural keyword.
- It has expanded beyond definitions to reflect its cultural and social significance in governance.
Historical Development of Governance Keywords
- Terms like efficiency and planning gained moral and ideological importance over time.
- Accountability is following a similar trajectory, transforming into a core concept of good governance.
Accountability as a Cultural and Social Lens
- It is increasingly viewed as an end in itself, shaping social perceptions and practices.
- This cultural framing challenges current research and calls for a deeper ontological understanding.
Implications for Governance Theory
- The rise of accountability signals transitional governance changes and potential shifts in dominant discourse.
- Future centrality of accountability depends on how debates about governance evolve and settle.