Scaling accountability through vertically integrated civil society policy monitoring and advocacy

Resource type
Author/contributor
Title
Scaling accountability through vertically integrated civil society policy monitoring and advocacy
Abstract
This working paper argues that the growing field of transparency, participation and accountability (TPA) needs a conceptual reboot, to address the limited traction gained so far on the path to accountability. To inform more strategic approaches and to identify the drivers of more sustainable institutional change, fresh analytical work is needed. This paper makes the case for one among several possible strategic approaches by distinguishing between “scaling up” and “taking scale into account”. This proposition grounds an explanation of the vertical integration strategy, which involves multi-level coordination by civil society organisations of policy monitoring and advocacy, grounded in broad pro-accountability constituencies. To spell out how this strategy can empower pro-accountability actors, the paper contrasts varied terms of engagement between state and society, proposing a focus on collaborative coalitions as an alternative to the conventional dichotomy between confrontation and constructive engagement. The paper grounds this discussion by reviewing the rich empirical terrain of existing multi-level approaches, summarizing nine cases – three each in three countries – to demonstrate what can be revealed when TPA initiatives are seen through the lens of scale. It concludes with a set of broad analytical questions for discussion, followed by testable hypotheses proposed to inform future research agendas
Series Title
MAVC Working Paper
Place
Brighton
Institution
IDS
Date
2016-12
Language
en
Accessed
17/02/2017, 18:26
Library Catalogue
opendocs.ids.ac.uk
Citation
Fox, J. (2016). Scaling accountability through vertically integrated civil society policy monitoring and advocacy (MAVC Working Paper). IDS. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/123456789/12683