Exploring and Analyzing Accountability in Global Governance

Project objectives

In recent years, the concept of accountability has emerged as one of the key approaches in the search for new modes of democratic governance beyond the nation-state. While the call for greater accountability of global governance has become pervasive in popular political discourse, there is only limited conceptual understanding of what the term; its potential and limits of accountability in facilitating democracy; and the various ways and means in which accountability of actors and processes of global governance can be improved.

The goal of this GPPi research project was to take a first step towards developing a "pluralistic system of accountability" both conceptually and operationally. It seeked to contribute to a better understanding of the role and significance of accountability in global governance, and the various ways in which it is put in practice.

The project was structured around the following three key elements:

• Conceptualization of Accountability: How can we conceptualize accountability in the global governance arena? What are the key building blocks of a "pluralistic system of accountability"
  
• Actors & Mechanisms of Accountability: What kind of mechanisms can be used to enhance the accountability of different players (international organizations, companies, non-governmental organizations) in the global arena? How do accountability mechanisms vary across sectors (public, private, and civil society)? How effective are these accountability mechanisms in practice? How can they be improved and strengthened?
  
• Public-Private Interactions and Accountability: How can we operationalize accountability in new cross-sectoral governance arrangements where public and private actors cooperate to address transnational challenges? To what extent does accountability inhibit or facilitate cooperation across sectors? What can be done to improve/strengthen the accountability of cross-sectoral governance arrangements?                                        

Project outputs

Four thematic papers were published:

Julia Steets (2005)

GPPi Research Paper No. 1