Accountability: Angst, Awareness, Action

Description

India is poised at a crucial juncture in its post-independence history. Accountability, the heartbeat of governance, is under siege. The epidemic of unaccountability lurks beneath India's myriad tragedies, conquering the spirit of the citizen and constraining India from unlocking its full economic and social potential. The misgovernance so vividly visible today is a strong signal that India's liberal democracy is disobeying the principles of its grand design. Citizens are deeply concerned about the state of their nation, but unsure what role they can play in improving accountability. This book was written to increase the public understanding of accountability. Jay P. Desai asks very important questions: How did accountability historically evolve in India can accountability be measured how does India rank against other countries does accountability impact economic and social performance does our socio-cultural fabric influence accountability and what role do existing accountability mech Cover Contents List of Figures Foreword Acknowledgements Introduction: A Question of Accountability Part I: Angst Chapter 1: The Origin of Angst The Vedic Age—1500 BC to 500 BC The Mauryan and Gupta Ages—500 BC to AD 500 Medieval and Post-Medieval India—AD 500 to AD 1800 Colonial India—AD 1800 to AD 1947 Independent India—AD 1947 to AD 2010 References Chapter 2: The Accountability Deficit Foundation 1—Appropriate Representation Foundation 2—Participative Conduct Foundation 3—Legitimate Conduct Foundation 4—Liability Enforcement References Part II: Awareness Chapter 3: Unveiling the Shroud Income Per Capita Social Hierarchy Individualism Democratic Lineage Urbanization Adult Literacy Voter Turnout Social Diversity Population Conclusion References Chapter 4: Three-Dimensional Accountability The Mechanisms of Accountability (First Dimension) Internal Accountability Horizontal Accountability External Accountability The Foundations of Accountability (Second Dimension) The Institutions of Government (Third Dimension) The Legislature The Executive The Judiciary 3D Accountability Reference Chapter 5: Legislative Accountability Foundation 1—Appropriate Representation Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms Foundation 2—Participative Conduct Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms Foundation 3—Legitimate Conduct Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms Foundation 4—Liability Enforcement Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms References Chapter 6: Executive Accountability Foundation 1—Appropriate Representation Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms Foundation 2—Participative Conduct Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms Foundation 3—Legitimate Conduct Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms Foundation 4—Liability Enforcement Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms References Chapter 7: Judicial Accountability Foundation 1—Appropriate Representation Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms Foundation 2—Participative Conduct Foundation 3—Legitimate Conduct Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms Foundation 4—Liability Enforcement Internal Accountability Mechanisms Horizontal Accountability Mechanisms External Accountability Mechanisms References Part III: Action Chapter 8: The Six Initiatives Initiative 1—Information Information Availability Information Accessibility Initiative 2—Impartiality Independent Agency Fixed Tenure Performance-Linked Incentives Initiative 3—Implementation Institutionalization Timelines Penalties Initiative 4—Infrastructure Personnel Technology Initiative 5—Independence Authority to Agencies Decentralization Initiative 6—Involvement Policy Formulation Performance Evaluation Redressal Enforcement References Chapter 9: The Five-Fold Path Create Awareness Conduct Assessments Constantly Advocate Path 1—Provide Time Path 2—Provide Media Access Path 3—Provide Intellectual Capacity Path 4—Provide Technology and Infrastructure Path 5—Provide Monetary Support References Epilogue Bibliography Index