Abstract
This chapter looks at three modes of accountability drawn from social science research. These modes comprise accountability of public (drawing on Foucauldian research), accountability for public (drawing on critical accounting literature), and accountability with public (drawing on science and technology studies ideas of participation and public engagement). These modes are used to introduce the diversity of forms, relationships, and potential, sometimes unexpected, consequences of accountability. The chapter then draws in three examples of surveillance from my research in order to illustrate the ways in which these modes of accountability can be utilised to understand the practices of surveillance systems. The three examples include an analysis of one UK town’s antisocial behaviour strategy which incorporates an active role for CCTV, attempts to develop a national UK ID card, and the deployment of speed cameras across the United Kingdom. The chapter concludes with an analysis of possible ways forward with modes of accountability.
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© 2012 Daniel Neyland
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Neyland, D. (2012). The Challenges of Working Out Surveillance and Accountability in Theory and Practice. In: Guagnin, D., Hempel, L., Ilten, C., Kroener, I., Neyland, D., Postigo, H. (eds) Managing Privacy through Accountability. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137032225_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137032225_5
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