What does quango mean?
A quango is a type of organization that is established by a government to perform a specific function or provide a public service. It is typically a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization, meaning that it has a degree of autonomy but is still accountable to the government. Quangos can be found in a variety of sectors, including healthcare, education, and transportation, and are often used to implement public policy. They are typically funded by public money and are subject to scrutiny and oversight by the government. The use of quangos has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability, and there have been efforts to reform the system and make it more accountable to the public.
nounA quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization, typically established by a government to perform a specific function or provide a public service.
- A quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization, typically established by a government to perform a specific function or provide a public service.
"The government has set up a quango to oversee the development of renewable energy sources."
"The government has set up a quango to oversee the development of renewable energy sources."
"The quango has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability."
The plural form of quango is typically used when referring to multiple organizations of this type.
"The government has set up several quangos to oversee the development of renewable energy sources."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of quango
The term 'quango' is believed to have originated in the 1970s in the United Kingdom, where it was used to describe a type of organization that was established by the government to perform a specific function or provide a public service. The term is derived from the words 'quasi-autonomous' and 'non-governmental', and reflects the organization's unique status as a hybrid of public and private sector entities.
How quango is actually used
Quangos are often used in the context of public policy and administration, and can be found in a variety of sectors, including healthcare, education, and transportation. They are typically established by a government to perform a specific function or provide a public service, and are often funded by public money.