Public Accounts Committees in Eastern and Southern Africa: A Comparative Analysis. Issue 1 (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pelizzo, Riccardo; Kinyondo, Abel
• Is Part Of: Politics & policy. Volume 42:Issue 1(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: Political science -- Periodicals; World politics -- 21st century -- Periodicals; 320
• DOI: 10.1111/polp.12062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1555-5623

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="polp12062-sec-1001" sec-type="section"> <p>This article provides the first and most comprehensive analysis of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) from Eastern and Southern Africa building on the work of McGee, Jacobs, Stapenhurst, and Staddon. By analyzing an original set of data, this article shows that PACs in these two regions are bigger, have more staff members, and are more likely to be chaired by opposition Members of Parliament than they have in other countries and regions. Furthermore, the data show that Eastern and Southern African PACs are more active than their counterparts elsewhere. However, lack of political will and limits to the range of powers that they enjoy as well as the dearth of quality technical support from parliamentary staff significantly undermines the effectiveness of these committees and their ability to play a greater role in curbing corruption.</p> </sec> <sec id="polp12062-sec-0001" sec-type="relatedArticles"> <title>Related Articles</title> <p> <mixed-citation id="polp12062-cit-0040" publication-type="journal" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <string-name> <surname>Jones</surname>, <given-names>Kate</given-names></string-name>, and <string-name><surname>Kerry</surname><given-names>Jacobs</given-names></string-name>. <year>2009</year>. 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