| ID | 108225 |
| Title Proper | Limits to public participation in strengthening public accountability |
| Other Title Information | a reflection on the 'citizens' voice' initiative in South Africa |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Smith, Laila |
| Publication | 2011. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This paper unpacks the tension between social movement claims to basic services and local authority efforts to deliver within a progressive legislative context. It does this by exploring the challenges of public accountability in urban water service delivery through drawing on the lessons learnt from the implementation of the 'Raising Citizens' Voice in the Regulation of Water Services' methodology in two South African cities over a four-year period. This paper argues that citizens' ability to access the state is restricted by internal fragmentation across spheres of government and between politicians and officials. Compounded by a lack of recourse in the service delivery landscape, fragmentation significantly restrains the ability of citizens to access the state. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of Asian and African Studies Vol. 46, No. 5; Oct 2011: p.504-517 |
| Journal Source | Journal of Asian and African Studies Vol. 46, No. 5; Oct 2011: p.504-517 |
| Key Words | Accountability ; Citizens ; Public Participation ; Regulation ; Water Services |