Government-sponsored Enterprise in the United States

Abstract

To define the dilemma of accountability in modern government as a choice between independence and control is to pose the wrong question. Implicit in this statement is an assumption that established systems of accountability and control are fixed and immutable. Independence is equated, as it was by Dr James Killian in specifying the prerequisites for an ‘independent’ Corporation for Public Broadcasting, with exemption ‘from civil service, public bidding, and GAO auditing requirements’ and non-budgetary financing. He did not regard Presidential appointment of directors as in any way compromising the Corporation’s independence.¹