Human Security Analysis as a Framework for Social Accountability

Abstract

Social accountability is important because, amongst other reasons, unaccountable powerholders are not perfectly diligent, perfectly benevolent, perfectly informed and perfectly competent. Social accountability, transparency and participation require more though than only procedures for reporting and channels for communication. They require relevant ideas and principles, regarding the criteria in terms of which powerholders are to be held accountable. Perfect procedures remain empty if there are no notions about what—and who—should count. Human rights principles should be central here.