Political Accountability in Liberal Democracies: A Critical Appraisal
This paper provides a critical appraisal of the literature on political accountability within liberal democratic systems, with a particular focus on developing countries. It examines the defining features of liberal democracy—including free elections, separation of powers, and an independent judiciary—and explores how accountability mechanisms function within such systems. Drawing on scholars such as O'Donnell, Matlosa, and Borowiak, the paper analyzes horizontal and vertical accountability, the role of political parties, and the challenges developing nations face in sustaining meaningful democratic governance. Case studies from Nigeria, Kenya, Mali, Peru, and several African and Latin American states illustrate both progress and persistent weaknesses in accountability practices.
- Introduction to Liberal Democracy and Accountability: Defines liberal democracy and introduces political accountability
- Horizontal Accountability and Separation of Powers: Examines horizontal accountability mechanisms and checks and balances
- Challenges to Horizontal Accountability in Developing Countries: Identifies weaknesses in horizontal accountability across developing nations
- Political Parties and Democratic Accountability: Argues strong political parties are essential for democratic accountability
- Case Studies: Africa, Latin America, and Beyond: Reviews accountability practices in Nigeria, Kenya, Mali, and Peru
- Conclusion: Summarizes findings on multiparty systems and rule of law
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What makes this paper effective
- It integrates a range of scholarly sources—Borowiak, O'Donnell, Matlosa, Kellman—to build a coherent argument about accountability across different democratic contexts.
- The use of concrete country-level examples (Nigeria, Kenya, Mali, Peru, Uruguay, Chile) grounds abstract theoretical claims in real-world evidence.
- Direct quotations from Kellman and Matlosa are employed strategically to reinforce the argument about the indispensable role of strong political parties.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates a literature review-based critical appraisal: it synthesizes multiple scholarly perspectives on accountability and democracy rather than relying on a single theoretical lens, allowing competing and complementary views to inform a nuanced conclusion about governance in developing countries.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens by defining liberal democracy and introducing the concept of accountability, then moves into a sustained review of the literature organized around horizontal accountability, political party function, and country-level case studies. The conclusion draws the threads together by summarizing how multiparty systems and rule-of-law principles can strengthen accountability in developing-country contexts.
Introduction to Liberal Democracy and Accountability
A liberal democracy is defined as a political philosophy by which people have inalienable rights to power and a free electoral process in their country. In other words, a liberal democracy is a political system characterized by free elections, political decisions made by an independent legislature, a multiparty political system, and an independent judiciary. In a liberal democratic system, people have the right to voice their opinions in the decision-making process of their country through the application of a majority rule, and to vote for the candidate they wish to hold political office. A liberal democracy is, in essence, a democracy of the people and for the people.
Typically, liberal democracy gives citizens the overall means to improve the political economy of their country through better government. Under a liberal democratic rule, people have the right to vote and participate in civic engagement to protect their rights. By actively participating in government activities, people are able to protect themselves from ruling elites. Moreover, people can participate in removing an elected president through a vote of no confidence requiring a two-thirds majority in both the House of Legislature and the Senate. By participating in political activism, people are able to protect their civic rights from a corrupt government (Mulgan, 2003).
The concept of accountability is synonymous with democracy. In a democratic system, political leaders can be held accountable for misdeeds carried out while in office (Schmitter, 2007). Political accountability refers to the way political parties, citizens, parliaments, and other political actors provide rewards, feedback, or sanctions to officials enacting public policy. A well-functioning accountability system is able to provide incentives for government to act in the interest of all citizens.
The objective of this paper is to provide a critical appraisal of the literature on accountability in a liberal democratic system in developing countries.
References
Borowiak, C. T. (2011). Accountability and Democracy: The Pitfalls and Promise of Popular Control. Oxford University Press.
Chen, W., & Hsu, J. C. (2014). Horizontal accountability in a polarised new democracy: The case of post-democratisation Taiwan. Australian Journal of Asian Law, 15(2), 1–19.
Cheung, C., & Leung, K. (2007). Enhancing life satisfaction by government accountability in China. Social Indicators Research, 82(3), 411–432.
Kellman, A. (2004). Democracy assistance in practice: The designing of a political party training program in the Republic of Kenya (MA thesis). Johannesburg, South Africa.
Matlosa, K. (2007). Political parties in Southern Africa: The state of parties and their role in democratization. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Mulgan, R. (2003). Holding power to account: Accountability in modern democracies. Palgrave.
O'Donnell, G. A. (1998). Horizontal accountability in new democracies. Journal of Democracy, 9(3), 112–126.
OECD. (2014). Taking a systems approach to accountability in developing countries. In Accountability and democratic governance: Orientations and principles for development. OECD Publishing.
Peter, H., & Authur, E. (2012). The accountability of power: Democracy and governance in modern times. European Political Science Review, 4(2), 177–194.
Samarasinghe, S. A. (1994). Democracy and democratization in developing countries. Data for Decision Making Project, Department of Population and International Health, Harvard School of Public Health.
Schmitter, P. C. (2007). Political accountability in 'real-existing' democracies: Meaning and mechanisms. European University Institute.
Speijcken, R. (2011). Strengthening the roles of political parties in public accountability: A case study of a new approach in political party assistance in Kenya. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
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