Accountability, equitable public services, and open government in Brazil and Colombia

Abstract

Abstract This article analyzes the relationship between accountability and equity in public services in the context of open government plans in unequal countries and cities. It presents a conceptual discussion interweaving collaborative and inclusive governance, accountability, equity, and open government, supporting the analysis of the 5th Brazilian Open Government National Plan, the 4th Colombian Open State National Plan, and the current Municipal Open Government Action Plans of São Paulo and Bogotá. The research question addressed is: How do open government plans recognize power asymmetries and inequities among population groups when accessing public services? The study also identifies trends in connecting accountability and equity in public services, showing examples from Bogotá and São Paulo, highlighting the inclusion of equity goals in Colombian and Brazilian development plans. This qualitative and exploratory research introduces a conceptual discussion bridging academic and technical literature, conducting a documentary analysis of the empirical realities in two countries and two cities. The results show that equity in public services is usually approached broadly and is more visible in municipal than national open government plans. The operationalization and measurement of equity in public services are challenging. Improvements in this direction could make equity efforts more accountable, accountability processes more equitable, governance more inclusive, and power less concentrated.