1999 | Andreas Schedler, Larry Diamond y Marc F. Plattner (eds.)
"The Self-Restraining State: Power and Accountability in New Democracies" is a collection of essays edited by Andreas Schedler, Larry Diamond, and Marc F. Plattner, published by Lynne Rienner Publishers in 1999. The book explores the role of autonomous oversight and accountability agencies in emerging democracies, such as courts, electoral commissions, administrative and constitutional courts, audit agencies, human rights commissions, anti-corruption agencies, and central banks. These agencies aim to strengthen democratic mechanisms of transparency, supervision, monitoring, and sanctions.
The book is divided into two main parts: a theoretical section that analyzes the concept of accountability from various angles, and an empirical section that includes detailed case studies from diverse countries and themes. In the theoretical part, Schedler introduces the concept of political accountability, emphasizing its core attributes: answerability and enforcement. He also discusses the paradox of horizontal versus vertical accountability, particularly in the context of hierarchical structures.
The empirical part focuses on horizontal accountability, defined as the ability of state institutions to monitor and hold other public agencies or government powers accountable. This concept is contrasted with vertical accountability, primarily in the electoral dimension. The authors argue that modern democracies are more interconnected in their control and accountability mechanisms than classical power-sharing models suggest. However, new democracies face challenges due to illegal practices and institutional isolation, which hinder democratic control.
The book highlights the importance of horizontal accountability in the political life of new democracies, though it remains limited to specialists. It also includes critical discussions on the role of international observers and monitors in electoral processes and foundational transitions to democracy. Overall, the essays contribute significantly to understanding new democracies and the utility of the conceptual tools discussed,推动了当代民主理论研究的进步。"The Self-Restraining State: Power and Accountability in New Democracies" is a collection of essays edited by Andreas Schedler, Larry Diamond, and Marc F. Plattner, published by Lynne Rienner Publishers in 1999. The book explores the role of autonomous oversight and accountability agencies in emerging democracies, such as courts, electoral commissions, administrative and constitutional courts, audit agencies, human rights commissions, anti-corruption agencies, and central banks. These agencies aim to strengthen democratic mechanisms of transparency, supervision, monitoring, and sanctions.
The book is divided into two main parts: a theoretical section that analyzes the concept of accountability from various angles, and an empirical section that includes detailed case studies from diverse countries and themes. In the theoretical part, Schedler introduces the concept of political accountability, emphasizing its core attributes: answerability and enforcement. He also discusses the paradox of horizontal versus vertical accountability, particularly in the context of hierarchical structures.
The empirical part focuses on horizontal accountability, defined as the ability of state institutions to monitor and hold other public agencies or government powers accountable. This concept is contrasted with vertical accountability, primarily in the electoral dimension. The authors argue that modern democracies are more interconnected in their control and accountability mechanisms than classical power-sharing models suggest. However, new democracies face challenges due to illegal practices and institutional isolation, which hinder democratic control.
The book highlights the importance of horizontal accountability in the political life of new democracies, though it remains limited to specialists. It also includes critical discussions on the role of international observers and monitors in electoral processes and foundational transitions to democracy. Overall, the essays contribute significantly to understanding new democracies and the utility of the conceptual tools discussed,推动了当代民主理论研究的进步。