| Description |
This paper looks at privatization, its current methods, contracting-out advantages and disadvantages, and techniques used in maintaining accountability in contract situations. Types of privatization include: incentives, franchise agreements, grants/subsidies, vouchers, volunteers and self-help, service-shedding and divestiture, and contracting-out. Contracting-out, a method of privatization, is the main emphasis of the paper. It is discussed as to its advantages and disadvantages, when it is appropriate for government to contract-out (or privatize), what issues must be considered in contracting-out, and determining criteria for contracting-out. Accountability is defined in a five cell structure, including Bureaucratic/Hierarchical, Legal, Professional, Political, and Moral/Ethical accountability. Accountability may be ensured through the techniques of auditing, monitoring, licensure, markets, contracts, registries, courts, whistleblowing, code of ethics, and outcomes-based assessment (OBA). |
