Accountability, open government and record keeping: time to think again?

Tough, A.G. (2011) Accountability, open government and record keeping: time to think again? Records Management Journal, 21(3), pp. 225-236. (doi: 10.1108/09565691111186894)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09565691111186894

Abstract

<p><b>Purpose:</b> The purpose of this paper is to re-visit debates around accountability, openness and record keeping and to suggest that existing assumptions need to be challenged.</p> <p><b>Design/methodology/approach:</b> – This is a scholarly essay based on published and unpublished works. The focus is on parliamentary democracies where the Queen or a titular president is head of state.</p> <p><b>Findings:</b> The primary role of records managers as active citizens should be to provide systems that will enable others to discharge their duties. The primary role of archivists in a plural democracy should be to secure the record for the future. The notion that archivists need to protect the record from political pressure should be re-considered. A more pressing need is for political pressure to be applied at the highest level, to ensure that there is a record.</p> <p><b>Research limitations/implications:</b> – The research has been limited by the fact that the author has not had access to the Cabinet Office.</p> <p><b>Social implications:</b> If the upper echelons of the British Government are to function effectively then the collapse of proper procedures and proper record keeping described by Tony Blair needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.</p> <p><b>Originality/value:</b> This article is original in so far as it offers a new perspective on issues concerning accountability, openness and records and it challenges existing orthodoxies.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tough, Dr Alistair
• Authors: Tough, A.G.
• Subjects: Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > Z004 Books. Writing. Paleography
• College/School: University Services > Library and Collection Services > Archives
• Journal Name: Records Management Journal
• ISSN: 0956-5698