Democratic Accountability: The Distinctiveness of the Third Sector

2003 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT E. GOODIN

Each of the main sectors of society—the state, the market and the voluntary non-profit sector—is characterized by a distinctive accountability regime, focusing on a different subject of accountability (actions, results and intentions, respectively) and a different mechanism of accountability (hierarchy, competition and cooperative networking, respectively). Those different regimes can complement one another, enhancing the democratic accountability of the system overall. They can also undercut one another, if their differences are not respected. Bringing the Third Sector under a market-style accountability regime, through “public-private partnerships” based on competitive tendering, undermines the distinctive contribution that the Third Sector might make.

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (4) ◽  
pp. 90-113
Author(s):  
Andrei Laronov ◽  

Development of the third sector in Russia is accompanied with its maintenance of open-access state registries of non-profit organizations. Compared to the NPO registries in other countries, those in Russia appeared 10-15 years later and became new tools for the development of the non-profit sector. The purpose of this article is to categorize the functions of NPO registries in other countries, as well as suggest those attributed to Russian NPO registries. The following hypothesis is put forward in the article: Russian NPO registries have similar functions as registries in other countries, but they are currently not being fully implemented. There are four registries in the focus of the research: the registry of NPOs by the Ministry of Justice of Russia and three types of registries of socially oriented NPOs – recipients of state support, providers of social services, and providers of social care services. The research was carried out by analyzing legal acts which set up the registries, as well as analyzing the registries located on the Internet. The following functions have been suggested: collecting, systematizing and disclosing the information on the third sector; aggregating the data on supply and demand for NPO services; promoting cooperation of NPOs with the state and intersectoral partnerships; promoting government support to NPOs; as well as ensuring accountability of NPOs to the state and society. The hypothesis was confirmed: the functions are not fully implemented due to the lack of clearly defined goals when setting up registries, weaknesses of their structure and formats. Several recommendations were formulated to enhance the system of existing registries and their structure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
М.М. Muratova ◽  
◽  
М. Onuchko ◽  

This article is devoted to the study of the international and Kazakhstani experience of building, regulation of relations between the state and civil society institutions, the definition of modern directions for the development of the third sector of Kazakhstan, as well as barriers and constraints that impede the transformation of relations between government bodies and non-profit organizations. In the framework of the study the experience of European states was taken, as countries that in historical perspective have the greatest experience in establishing relationships with the civil sector. On the basis of the study, the authors identified general tendencies that characterize the relations between the state and civil society, which are expressed in the strengthening of support for the third sector, the managerial and controlling functions of civil society institutions, as well as the replacement of some areas of activity of state bodies by non-governmental organizations.


2009 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Fusari

Abstract This paper describes the problems that arise in the translation of texts on – and by – the nonprofit sector from English (especially American English) into Italian. First of all, we focus on the main problems of translation, deriving from the disparity between the third sector in Italy and in the US. Secondly, we present a corpus-based project aimed at monitoring the differences between nonprofit discourse (especially fundraising letters) in Italy and the US. Lastly, we show a number of practical examples to illustrate how this type of corpus can meet the needs of translators and draw some conclusions on the importance of using monitor (i.e., continuously updated) corpora to produce successful translations in specialised fields where there are sizeable differences between source and the target cultures.


Author(s):  
Tony Chasteauneuf ◽  
Tony Thornton ◽  
Dean Pallant

This chapter discusses the role of the third sector working with the hard and soft structures of public–private partnerships to promote healthier individuals and communities. It considers how a recommitment to the 'local authority' of citizens and beneficiaries offers the possibility of revitalised and healthier individuals and reinvigorated and healthier communities, which are unachievable through the hard and soft structures of the commissioner/provider statutory approach. The chapter then identifies the pivotal dynamic of one-to-one relationships in these processes and their association with health outcomes (emotional, physical, and spiritual) alongside the opportunities and challenges in agencies engaging/re-engaging with the agency of citizens and beneficiaries. It explores the tension between the 'agency' of citizens and beneficiaries that constitutes bottom-up power and 'agencies' with top-down power. The chapter also looks at the benefits of embracing the expertise and investment of individuals and their communities in their personal and shared lives, how this can be supported and how it can be undermined.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089976402110574
Author(s):  
Ebenezer Obadare ◽  
Kelly Krawczyk

Civil society and philanthropy in Africa are regularly theorized in formal terms and oft perceived as inherently democratizing forces. Yet, existing evidence exposes the limitations of these assumptions. This article provides an introduction to the symposium issue on civil society and philanthropy in Africa. The objective of the introduction, and the articles contained in the symposium, is to examine important questions related to civil society and philanthropy on the continent: What is the complex history and role of civil society and philanthropy in Africa? How have donor dependence and professionalization affected the effectiveness of the third sector? What are the contours of the relationship between the state and civil society? We ask these crucial questions in an attempt to provide a more nuanced and contextualized understanding of civil society and philanthropy on the continent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Ortega-Rodríguez ◽  
Ana Licerán-Gutiérrez ◽  
Antonio Luis Moreno-Albarracín

The purpose of this article is to present a framework to understand transparency in the third sector and then to explore the main research streams regarding the disclosure of information and accountability by conducting a systematic literature review on the antecedents and dimensions of the transparency of information disclosed by non-profit organizations (NPOs). The essential questions of this work are addressed from an international perspective. In particular, we explore three research questions: (1) why should NPOs disclose transparent information to stakeholders? (2) Why do not all NPOs disclose transparent information? (3) What means do NPOs use to disclose transparent information? Our results highlight the lack of transparency legislation in the third sector, leading NPOs to adopt the voluntary disclosure of information policies to improve the perceived credibility of these entities by their stakeholders. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of developing a systematic body of knowledge regarding the situation of transparent, voluntary information disclosure in the sector. Moreover, the Sustainable Development Goals promulgated by the United Nations place a high value on transparency for the accountability of institutions. To achieve sustainable development, both peace and the governance of institutions are needed. Reducing corruption and promoting transparency are among the goals which should be reached to achieve social sustainability.


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