Political Accountability

Definition

Political accountability refers to the responsibility that elected officials have towards their constituents and the public at large. It includes being answerable for one's actions and decisions made while in office.

Analogy

Think of political accountability as a report card for politicians. Just like students are graded on their performance in school, politicians are evaluated based on how well they fulfill their promises and serve the interests of the people who voted for them.

Related terms

Checks and Balances: Checks and balances are mechanisms within a government system that ensure no single branch or individual has too much power.

Electoral Systems: Electoral systems determine how votes are casted, counted, and translated into seats in a representative body such as parliament.

Corruption: Corruption refers to dishonest or unethical conduct by those in power, often involving bribery or misuse of public resources for personal gain.