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What if performance accountability mechanisms engender distrust?

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  • Vicki Johansson
  • Stig Montin

Abstract

An axiomatic assumption in contemporary democratic theory is that accountability mechanisms generate trust and legitimacy in and for democratic systems: in relation to decision-makers (elected officials), facilitators (the public bureaucracy) and outcomes of public policy (scope and quality). However, how wise is it to take this assumption for granted? What if accountability mechanisms applied in democracies with high levels of trust promote distrust rather than trust? This article will elaborate on and analyse the inherent theoretical logic of performance scrutiny as a basis for performance accountability in political-administrative systems inspired by new public management reforms. Performance scrutiny practices derived from Sweden, a high-trust society, are used as empirical illustrations and as a basis to generate hypotheses on how and why practices to analysis performance accountability have the potential to counteract trust.

Suggested Citation

  • Vicki Johansson & Stig Montin, 2014. "What if performance accountability mechanisms engender distrust?," Urban Research & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(2), pages 213-227, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rurpxx:v:7:y:2014:i:2:p:213-227
    DOI: 10.1080/17535069.2014.910925
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    Cited by:

    1. Raphael Zumofen, 2016. "Public accountability: a summary analysis [Accountability publique - Une analyse synthétique]," Post-Print hal-03623871, HAL.
    2. Johansson Vicki, 2015. "When will we ever learn ?," NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 8(2), pages 149-170, December.

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