Lecture 2: Forms of Accountability

Question 1

What are some common issues governments face?

Answer 1

Bad policies, using bad ways to implement good policies, wasting public money, acting unlawfully

Question 2

What is required by a democratic constitution to address governmental mistakes?

Answer 2

Adequate and effective safeguards are requried by a democratic constitution to address governmental mistakes

Question 3

What is the principle that ensures government accountability?

Answer 3

Accountability ensures government accountability

Question 4

True or False: Governments always implement effective policies.

Answer 4

False

Question 5

What is accountability?

Answer 5

Accountability is the relationship between an actor and an accountability forum

An actor must explain and justify its conduct to the forum.

Question 6

Who can be considered an actor in the context of accountability?

Answer 6

Government officials, such as the Prime Minister, government ministers, local authorities, and sometimes civil servants can be considered an actor in the context of accountability

Question 7

What is the role of the accountability forum?

Answer 7

The role of the accountabilty forum is to ask questions and passes judgement on the actor

Examples include parliament and judicial bodies.

Question 8

How does parliament act as an accountability forum?

Answer 8

Parliament acts as an accountability forum as it scrutinises the work of the government and holds it to account

This involves questioning government actions and decisions.

Question 9

What does the accountability process entail?

Answer 9

The accountability process takes place in a public manner, involves explanations and justifications, and includes questioning and judgement

Public forums include media, courts, and tribunals.

Question 10

What are the components of the accountability process?

Answer 10

The components of the accountability process are:
* Public forum
* Explanation and justification of conduct
* Asking questions and passing judgement
* Facing consequences

Consequences can include political embarrassment or legal charges.

Question 11

What does it mean to face consequences in accountability?

Answer 11

Facing consequences can mean experiencing political/personal embarrassment or facing criminal charges

Consequences can vary based on the severity of the conduct.

Question 12

True or False: A court judgement is binding on the government.

Answer 12

True - a court judgement is binding on the government

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The accountability process requires those in power to provide reasons for their actions and to _______.

Answer 13

justify conduct

Question 14

What distinguishes public inquiries and ombudsman from court judgements?

Answer 14

Public inquiries and ombudsmen are separated from court judgement as they are not binding in the same way as court judgements

This means the government may not be legally required to comply.

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of Political Accountability?

Answer 15

The primary purpose of Political Accountability is that it ensures that government is subject to democratic and popular control

Question 16

How does Political Accountability work directly?

Answer 16

Political Accountability work directly through elections and petitions

Voters directly vote for representatives and hold politicians accountable.

Question 17

How does Political Accountability work indirectly?

Answer 17

Political Accountability work indirectly through representatives in Parliament

Question 18

What does Legal Accountability ensure?

Answer 18

Legal Accountability ensures ‘Government according to law’

It ensures the government operates within the framework of the law.

Question 19

What is a key function of Legal Accountability?

Answer 19

A key function of Legal Accountability Maintains the rule of law and protects individual rights

Question 20

Who undertakes Legal Accountability mechanisms?

Answer 20

Courts and tribunals undertake legal accountability mechanisms

This ensure that laws are upheld and government actions are lawful.

Question 21

What is the focus of Administrative Accountability?

Answer 21

The focus of Administrative Accountability is the Government holding itself to account

It emphasizes the effectiveness and efficiency of government policies.

Question 22

What does Administrative Accountability not consider?

Answer 22

Administrative Accountability does not consider the merits of policy or its legality

It focuses solely on the performance and standards of government actions.

Question 23

Who is responsible for undertaking Administrative Accountability?

Answer 23

The government itself and independent audit agencies are responsible for undertaking Administrative Accountability

Government ministers monitor their own departments, while independent agencies audit performance.

Question 24

What is the most important type of accountability within democracies?

Answer 24

The most important type of accountability within democracies is Political Accountability

Question 25

To whom is the government accountable for its policies?

Answer 25

The government is accountable for its policies to the: * The public * The legislature ## Footnote The government seeks to keep these stakeholders satisfied to ensure re-election.

Question 26

What is the most typical form of political accountability?

Answer 26

The most typical form of political accountability is Elections ## Footnote Elections allow voters to elect their representatives and influence the formation of the government.

Question 27

How do elections ensure voter influence on government policy?

Answer 27

Elections ensure voter influence on government policy by allowing voters to elect representatives and potentially change the government at the next election ## Footnote This mechanism gives voters a direct say

Question 28

What is a major shortcoming of elections as a political accountability mechanism?

Answer 28

A disadvantage of elections is the frequency of elections (normally every 5 years) ## Footnote Voters have limited opportunities to express their opinions on government policies between elections.

Question 29

List two limitations of election campaigns regarding political accountability.

Answer 29

Two limitations of election campagins are: ** Limited scope for debate * Gulf between voters and politicians ## Footnote politicians may not represent the average voter's concerns.

Question 30

What is ministerial responsibility?

Answer 30

Ministerial responsibility is when Government ministers must explain their actions and conduct ## Footnote This is one of the mechanisms of political accountability.

Question 31

What purpose do public inquiries serve in political accountability?

Answer 31

Public inquiries investigate matters of grave public concern

Question 32

What are select committees?

Answer 32

Select committees write detailed reports on government policy and administration

Question 33

What is the main job of parliamentary select committees?

Answer 33

The main job of parliamentary select committees is to hold the government to account

Question 34

True or False: Political accountability mechanisms have coercive powers.

Answer 34

False ## Footnote Political accountability mechanisms do not have the power to compel actions but can issue judgments.

Question 35

Who typically has the power to formally bring down the government?

Answer 35

Members of Parliament (MPs) typically have the power to formally bring down the government ## Footnote MPs play a crucial role in enforcing accountability through their actions against the government.

Question 36

What is legal accountability?

Answer 36

Legal accountability is key to making the rule of law real and enforceable in the UK. Without it, the rule of law wouldn't mean anything

Question 37

What must the government do according to the rule of law?

Answer 37

According to the RoL, the government must follow the law.

Question 38

What power do courts have regarding unlawful governmental acts?

Answer 38

Courts can strike down unlawful governmental acts via judicial review.

Question 39

What are the general principles of public law that courts examine?

Answer 39

Courts examine legality, procedural fairness, rationality, and proportionality.

Question 40

Define legality in the context of government actions.

Answer 40

Legality means government can only act within the scope of its legal powers; individuals can do anything that is not unlawful.

Question 41

What does procedural fairness require from the government?

Answer 41

Procedural fairness requires that the government must adopt a fair decision-making process without bias.

Question 42

What must government decisions be according to the principle of rationality?

Answer 42

Government decisions must be rational and reasonable.

Question 43

What does proportionality mean in the context of human rights?

Answer 43

Infringements of human rights must be proportionate to the desired end.

Question 44

What are the legally enforceable limitations on government?

Answer 44

Legally enforceable limitiations on gov is Legality, procedural fairness, rationality, and proportionality.

Question 45

Can courts substitute their own decisions for government decisions?

Answer 45

No, courts cannot decide if a decision is right or wrong or substitute it with their own.

Question 46

Are legal decisions made by courts binding on the government?

Answer 46

Yes, legal decisions are binding on the government.

Question 47

True or False: Legal representation is usually necessary in tribunals.

Answer 47

False.

Question 48

What three components are involved in the hierarchy of authority within Administrative Accountability?

Answer 48

The three components that are involved in the hierarchy of authority within AA is: * * Prime Minister * Ministers * Civil Service

Question 49

What does the government do to monitor performance in achieving targets?

Answer 49

Sets targets and devises plans, then monitors performance.

Question 50

Are civil servants directly accountable to Parliament or the public?

Answer 50

Civil servants are accountable to Ministers.

Question 51

Why are civil servants not directly accountable to Parliament?

Answer 51

They are politically neutral and carry out what the minister instructs.

Question 52

What is the role of the National Audit Office (NAO)?

Answer 52

The role of the National Audit Office is to investigates how Government spends money and if it is efficient.

Question 53

Which body is equivalent to the NAO in Scotland?

Answer 53

Audit Scotland is equivalent to NAO in Scotland

Question 54

What do Ombudsmen investigate?

Answer 54

Ombudsmen investigates Citizens' complaints of maladministration - when a government body, official, or organization handles things poorly, unfairly, or fails to follow proper rules and procedures.

Question 55

Do accountability systems work in isolation?

Answer 55

Accountability systems do not work in isolation from one another.

Question 56

How does administrative accountability feed into political accountability?

Answer 56

AA feeds into PA through NAO reports as they are followed up by select committees.

Question 57

What do parliamentary committees use to scrutinise government?

Answer 57

Parliamentary committess use Reports of ombudsmen to scrutinise the government