Sunday 26 May 2013

Essential Facts On Political Accountability

By Esther Salazar


Political accountability is a term referring to the liability of civil servants, the government and its politicians whether to the legislative body comprised of parliament and congress, or the public body. In leadership terms, political accountability involves the assumption and the acknowledgment of responsibilities for products, policies, actions and decisions. Such includes the governance, administration and implementation within the degree of position or role.

There are cases where recall elections are necessary for the purpose of revoking elected officials from their offices. However, this rarely happens because generally, voters are not given the chance to hold sworn representatives accountable for the terms for which they have been elected. Furthermore, some legislators or officials are appointed, not really elected.

Statutes or constitutions are what can empower legislative bodies to hold to account government bodies, the government as well as their very own members. This may be done through holding independent or internal inquiries. Inquiries are often held as a response to allegations of corruption and misconduct.

The sanctions, powers and procedures following inquiries usually differ from one country to another. The legislature will be given the right and the power to conduct an impeachment over anyone responsible, resulting to getting them suspended temporarily or permanently removed from offices. Any accused individual can choose to resign before going on trial though. In the US, faculty elected representatives and other civil officers like court judges can be held for impeachment.

In most parliamentary systems, governments will be relying on the parliament or subsequent supports. They will be giving the parliament power enough to hold governments into account. For instance, there are some parliaments that have the capacity to pass votes of no confidence towards their government.

Some studies have been conducted that resulted to findings proving how complex it truly is to provide citizens the empowerment necessary to hold governments accountable. What made it easier to understand the complex dynamics between states and citizens was the development of clearer processes. These also generated positive change within groups, individuals and communities. Fusing of tools that resulted to outcome mapping also contributed to the advancement.

The performance of governments will usually be reflected on how countrymen hold their politicians responsible for their actions. Three factors are known to be the bases for the extent of political control public officials hold. First is the regular elections which promote a sense of disciplining politicians. The risk of getting booted out of office can compel any policy maker to properly carry out their obligations and respond to voter interests.

Another factor is the extent of knowledge possessed by citizens. This is actually just as essential as the first. Public knowledge helps curb chances for politicians to employ improper management as well as political corruption. With citizens that are informed on the varying laws and their subsequent rights, there will be lesser likelihood for politicians to do dirty work.

The third factor on which political accountability depends is the existence of well-informed electorates. This is very much beneficial in countries upholding the democratic setting. Righteous electorates will be able to see through the different levels of government performance and evaluate whether or not corruption was indeed engaged in.




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