Accountability and Trust in Government: What’s Next?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36428/revistadacgu.v12i22.368

Abstract

During the last four years the need for trustworthy leaders who possess both integrity and courage to
address societal needs and inequities in the U.S. was highlighted, as has been the need for a trust-worthy government. A global pandemic and weakened economy have made it is highly unlikely that governments across the world will return to the old normal, but where do we go from here? Drawing upon the experience in U.S., I discuss what efforts are needed to rebuild accountability, trustworthy governments, and trust in public institutions across the globe. I discuss what the exercise of accountability involves, and describe how authentic evidence-building may support both accountability and trust-building. I also highlight some challenges and opportunities to build trustworthy government and increase trust in government.

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Author Biography

  • Kathryn Newcomer, George Washington University, U.S.A.

    Kathryn Newcomer is a professor in the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at the George Washington University where she served as the School director for over 12 years, until August 2019. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and serves on the Comptroller General’s Educators’ Advisory Panel. She served as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the American Evaluation Association (AEA) (2013-2015 and 2016-2018), and as AEA president for 2017. She served as President of the Network of the Association of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) for 2006-2007. She earned her PhD in political science from the University of Iowa.

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Published

2020-12-30

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 22 (2020): Revista da CGU, 22, jul-dez/2020

Section

Accountability and Control in Context of Pandemic

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How to Cite

Accountability and Trust in Government: What’s Next?. Revista da CGU, [S. l.], v. 12, n. 22, p. 343–350, 2020. DOI: 10.36428/revistadacgu.v12i22.368. Disponível em: https://revista.cgu.gov.br/Revista_da_CGU/article/view/368. Acesso em: 19 dec. 2025.