6 Contestation and Accountability Free Online FlashCards

What is political representation?

Representation is the process by which people’s views and interests enter public decision-making, often through officials they authorize to act on their behalf.

How can proportional electoral rules affect representation?

A proportional system may give smaller parties a greater chance of winning seats, shaping which representatives voters can choose.

What makes the exercise of authority accountable?

Accountability requires those with authority to explain and justify decisions and potentially face consequences for failing their responsibilities.

How does vertical accountability constrain elected officials?

Vertical accountability runs from citizens to elected officials, chiefly through elections and public scrutiny; voters can reward or replace representatives.

What enables state institutions to hold one another accountable?

Horizontal checks matter only when institutions have both the authority and practical independence to use them.

What is one limit of civic pressure on government?

Protests and public campaigns can bring neglected concerns onto the agenda, but may not themselves produce enforceable consequences.

What does political conflict concern?

Political conflict is competition over who should govern, which interests should count, and how public resources and rights should be distributed.

What is state capture?

State capture occurs when powerful actors gain influence over state institutions so public authority advances their interests at the broader public’s expense.

Why might a leadership change leave power relations intact?

A change of leaders does not automatically redistribute influence if the same groups still control access to institutions or the public agenda.

What link can district-based electoral rules strengthen?

A district-based system may strengthen the connection between a representative and a local area.

What is horizontal accountability?

Horizontal accountability occurs when state institutions check one another, such as legislatures investigating executives or courts reviewing government legality.

Who creates social or civic accountability?

Social or civic accountability occurs when people, journalists, community groups, and civil-society organizations monitor government and press it for answers between elections.