Accountability:
Angst, Awareness, Action
About the book
This book was written to increase the public understanding of accountability.
India is poised at a crucial juncture in its post-independence history. Accountability, the heartbeat of governance, is under siege. The epidemic of unaccountability lurks beneath India’s myriad tragedies, conquering the spirit of the citizen and constraining India from unlocking its full economic and socialpotential. The mis-governance so vividly visible today, is a strong signal that India’s liberal democracy is disobeying the principles of its grand design. Citizens are deeply concerned about the state of their nation, but unsure what role they can play in improving accountability.
This book was written to increase the public understanding of accountability. Jay P Desai asks very important questions: How did accountability historically evolve in India; can accountability be measured; how does India rank against other countries; does accountability impact economic and social performance; does our socio-cultural fabric influence accountability; and what role do existing accountability mechanisms and institutions play in strengthening, or weakening, the four foundations of accountability?
The author constructs a three-dimensional lens with which he examines the mechanisms that hold our governance institutions accountable. Six initiatives that can improve accountability in India are identified and evaluated. Citizens can play a key role in strengthening accountability, using the five-fold path set out. Desai explains why a burst of governance reforms are sorely needed and describes how the journey of accountability will play out over the next few decades.
Those who read this book will transit from a state of angst about accountability, to one of awarenessand finally into action. India will then truly make its ‘tryst with destiny’.
Praise for the Accountability Book
“This book is a bold piece of writing that presents an in-depth look at the problem of accountability in India’s public administration. Jay P Desai confronts this sensitive and grave issue, directly and head-on, and substantiates his arguments with extensive research, data, analysis and action points. An essential read for the young citizen of India to understand the criticality of accountability and of taking concrete actions to help our nation achieve its full potential”.
N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus, Infosys Limited
“As a longtime lover and admirer of India, I strongly hope that this passionate study on "Accountability" by Jay P Desai, will serve as a guideline to all those invested with the responsibility of governing and administrating the world’s largest democracy. What Jay advocates in this remarkable book, is in fact true for all nations in the world. It should therefore be read all over the planet”.
Dominique Lapierre, Co-author of "Freedom at Midnight“ and Author of “City of Joy”
“In writing this book, Jay P Desai has done India a great service; it is clear, well-researched, and superbly conceptualized. India has long had severe governance problems that interfere with growth, with foreign direct investment and with good public policy. If the nation could reform its governance, in the manner that Jay suggests, the people of India would benefit, hugely”.
Richard H. K. Vietor, Paul Whiton Cherington Professor of Business Administration, Senior Associate Dean, Harvard Business School
“ This is great book. Governance is an extremely over-used term. However defined, there is a governance deficit in India. But nothing is going to change and accountability isn’t going to improve unless countervailing pressure is exerted. This book is not just about the angst, which is pervasive. For angst to become action, there must be awareness. This is compelling reading and far better than many other vague and general accounts I have read.”
Bibek Debroy, Professor, Centre for Policy Research
“Jay P. Desai’s book is very timely. Governance and public administration need great improvement in India and have become very hot topics not only in policy-making circles, but also in maa media. His structured analysis explains the steps to make necessary improvements.”
Arun Maira, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India
“This is an important book, written at a crucial time. Jay P Desai has brought together many fields to write it; history, politics, economics and law. The book is well written with strong conceptual foundations and empirical rigor and has many actionable implications for how the Indian system needs to change, to make progress in the years to come”.
Jaideep Prabhu, Jawaharlal Nehru Professor of Indian Business and Enterprise ,Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
“Jay P Desai provides an insightful, analytical and practical assessment of the current situation in India and what can be done to take this cherished country to the next level. With his focus on accountability in public administration and among citizens, he lays out how the country might embrace long term economic and societal change. The author does not coddle the reader. You will find provocative ideas on virtually every page. Jay sets high but realistic expectations for all the stakeholders who can make a difference in accelerating the speed and direction of change for his country”.
Thomas J. DeLong, Philip J. Stomberg Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School
“Accountability: Angst, Awareness, Action, is a very timely contribution to the current debate over accountability in India. Jay P Desai brings critical thinking, creative conceptualization and compelling empirical evidence to bear on this important topic. He traces the historical origins and current multidimensional reality of this issue, shows how it hampers India’s progress, and suggests a comprehensive but practical approach to corrective action. This well-researched and well-written book is of course most relevant to India, but it also suggests broader lessons, as no country is immune to the problems described here”.
Patricia M. Danzon, PhD. Celia Moh Professor, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
“Nothing is as important to India's future well-being as governance. Jay P Desai rightly focuses on accountability which is at the heart of our governance deficit. Jay brings considerable skills as a business consultant, to diagnose the problem and offer solutions”.
Gurcharan Das, Author of “India Unbound” and “The Difficulty of Being Good”
“Accountability: Angst, Awareness, Action, by Jay P Desai, is a very timely publication on the deficit in accountability, probity and transparency in India. An excellent read to better understand the current debate about governance in the country”.
Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group
“Desai outlines the critical role that good governance must play for India to achieve its full economic and democratic potential. In this passionate study, he argues for the benefits of increased accountability. Drawing from numerous historical examples, Desai shows how accountability lapses contributed to social challenges. Most importantly, he offers an action-oriented framework designed to improve accountability in India — and bolster the nation’s long-term prospects”.
Dipak C. Jain, Dean, INSTEAD
“At a time when the whole issue of governance is centre stage, Jay P Desai’s book Accountability: Angst, Awareness, Action, is timely. The book covers a vast canvas, taking us through the historical, to the current global context. It identifies the causes of low accountability, provides possible solutions and makes for very interesting reading”.
K.V. Kamath, Non-Executive Chairman, ICICI Bank Limited
“I resonate strongly with objective of providing the public with an accessible discussion of accountability and governance in India, in a way that goes beyond hand-wringing. I love the historical anchor and the practical suggestions, and much more. Jay Desai has done us all a service”.
Tarun Khanna, Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor, Harvard Business School
“An insightful and in-depth study on accountability which lends clarity to an area which otherwise suffers from low visibility. I have no doubt that this book will become one of the leading commentaries on the subject in our country and rightly so. A must read for all those who have a desire to invest in the future of this country”.
Zia Mody, Managing Partner, AZB & Partners
“A highly engrossing and monumental treatise on the role of citizens, media, businesses and civil societies in making public officials accountable. “Accountability” is full of concrete suggestions about how India, as a nation, can transform from a culture of “Chalta Hai” (being indifferent) to one of action and achievement”.
Jagdish N. Sheth, Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Marketing, Goizueta Business School, Emory University
“A wonderfully timely and rigorous look at governance and accountability - the issues which most determine our country’s future. Jay does an excellent job provoking thought and offering practical solutions so the reader is left with energy and hope rather than just angst”.
Ravi Venkatesan, Former Chairman, Microsoft India
Accountability Book
Accountability research discussion with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Former President of India - New Delhi, January 2010
March 2012
Accountability Book Launch - Four Seasons, Mumbai
