Between power and accountability : the phenomenon of accountability in modern democratic systems.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Serowaniec, Maciej, editor.

Włoch, Wojciech, editor.

Jachimowicz, Katarzyna, editor.

Frydrych-Depka, Anna, editor.

Series:

Law, society, democracy ; 3.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democracy.

Transparency (Ethics) in government.

Rule of law.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (218 pages)

Place of Publication:

Göttingen : V&R unipress, 2026.

Summary:

This volume offers an in-depth exploration of how contemporary democracies organise, distribute, and restrain political power through evolving systems of accountability. It presents interdisciplinary perspectives that illuminate the legal, institutional, and societal mechanisms designed to ensure transparency, responsibility, and responsiveness in public life. By analysing both formal procedures and informal norms, the contributions reveal how accountability shapes decision-making, influences political behaviour, and fosters democratic trust. The book also addresses emerging challenges, such as polarisation, technological change, and declining civic engagement, showing how they redefine expectations toward those in power.

Contents:

Introduction

Democracy of Distance: The Virtue of Accountability in Representative Democracy / Wojciech Włoch

EU Spending Conditionality and the Restoration of Accountability: Lessons from Poland’s Rule of Law Crisis / Iwona Wróblewska and Katarzyna Jachimowicz

The Role of Fiscal Councils in the Accountability of Budgetary Processes in EU Countries / Maciej Serowaniec

The Justice Fund and the COVID-19 Response Fund as Examples of the Debudgetisation of State Finances / Jacek Wantoch-Rekowski and Martyna Wilmanowicz-Słupczewska

(Mis)use of Public Resources in Electoral Processes: Poland Case Study / Anna Frydrych-Depka

Criminal Law Protection of the European Union’s Financial Interests in Polish Law / Natalia Daśko

The Role of Collective Entities Criminal Responsibility in Protecting the Financial Interests of the European Union / Janusz Bojarski

The Dispute Over the Openness of OLAF’s Final Reports – a Case from the Czech Republic / Marcin Czyżniewski

Accountability of Public Officials in the Face of Restrictions on Access to Public Information in a Democracy / Joanna Marszałek-Kawa and Renata Podgórzańska

Community-Based Evaluation of Public Policies: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Democracies / Patryk Wawrzyński and Waldemar Wojtasik

Accountability of Local Government on the Example of the Executive Body of a Municipality / Aleksandra Główczewska, Karolina Rokicka-Murszewska, and Dominika Zawacka-Klonowska

The Green Transition: Accountability and the Labour Market under a New Legal Framework / Jagoda Jaskulska

State Responsibility in Natural Disaster Risk Governance – The Insurance – Accountability Gap / Damian Walczak, Dorota Marzena Krupa, Anna Bera, Dariusz Pauch and Michał Piotr Ziemiak.

Notes:

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ISBN:

9783737019804

Publisher Number:

10.14220/9783737019804