ABSTRACT
Accountability is a complex phenomenon. This is particularly so in modern democratic societies, given the range of agencies that exist to execute the affairs of state (Johnson, 1974; Day and Klein, 1987). It follows that any traditional notion of a simple accountability relationship between those in elected office and ‘the people’ is increasingly difficult to sustain. Indeed, much current interest in accountability stems from difficulties with control of public agencies; that is, how to ensure that ‘political leaders and the public persuade, cajole or force administrative agencies to do their bidding’ (Peters, 1989, p. 250).
