Accountability and Abuses of Power in World Politics

Debates about globalization have centered on calls to improve accountability to limit abuses of power in world politics. How should we think about global accountability in the absence of global democracy? Who should hold whom to account and according to what standards? Thinking clearly about these q...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American political science review 2005-02, Vol.99 (1), p.29-43
Main Authors: GRANT, RUTH W., KEOHANE, ROBERT O.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abuse of power
Accountability
Balance of power
Basic Skills
Countability
Delegation of authority
Democracy
Globalization
Governance
Institutionalization
International cooperation
International financial institutions
International organizations
International politics
International relations
Legitimacy
Multilateralism
Multinational corporations
Nation states
NGOs
Nongovernmental organizations
Participation
Political institutions
Political science
Politics
Pragmatics
Principals
Regression analysis
Sanctions
Semiotics
Treaties
World Bank
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Summary:Debates about globalization have centered on calls to improve accountability to limit abuses of power in world politics. How should we think about global accountability in the absence of global democracy? Who should hold whom to account and according to what standards? Thinking clearly about these questions requires recognizing a distinction, evident in theories of accountability at the nation-state level, between “participation” and “delegation” models of accountability. The distinction helps to explain why accountability is so problematic at the global level and to clarify alternative possibilities for pragmatic improvements in accountability mechanisms globally. We identify seven types of accountability mechanisms and consider their applicability to states, NGOs, multilateral organizations, multinational corporations, and transgovernmental networks. By disaggregating the problem in this way, we hope to identify opportunities for improving protections against abuses of power at the global level.
ISSN:0003-0554
1537-5943
DOI:10.1017/S0003055405051476