Democracy, Accountability, and Representation

by Edited by Adam Przeworski , Susan C. Stokes , Bernard Manin

• ISBN13: 9780521641531
• ISBN10: 0521641535
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-09-13
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book examines whether the mechanisms of accountability characteristic of democratic systems are sufficient to induce the representatives to act in the best interest of the represented. The first part of the volume focuses on the role of elections, distinguishing different ways in which they may cause representation. The second part is devoted to the role of checks and balances, between the government and the parliament as well as between the government and the bureaucracy. The contributors of this volume, all leading scholars in the fields of American and comparative politics and political theory, address questions such as, whether elections induce governments to act in the interest of citizens. Are politicians in democracies accountable to voters in future elections? If so, does accountability induce politicians to represent citizens? Does accountability limit or enhance the scope of action of governments? Are governments that violate campaign mandates representative? Overall, the essays combine theoretical discussions, game-theoretic models, case studies, and statistical analyses, within a shared analytical approach and a standardized terminology. The empirical material is drawn from the well established democracies as well as from new democracies.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors	ix
Introduction	1	(26)
Bernard Manin
Adam Przeworski
Susan C. Stokes
Part One: Elections, Accountability, and Representation	27	(224)
1 Elections and Representation	29	(26)
Bernard Manin
Adam Przeworski
Susan C. Stokes
2 Electoral Accountability and the Control of Politicians: Selecting Good Types versus Sanctioning Poor Performance	55	(43)
James D. Fearon
3 What Do Policy Switches Tell Us about Democracy?	98	(33)
Susan C. Stokes
4 Accountability and Authority: Toward a Theory of Political Accountability	131	(23)
John Ferejohn
5 Accountability and Manipulation	154	(43)
Jose Maria Maravall
6 Party Government and Responsiveness	197	(25)
James A. Stimson
7 Democracy, Elections, and Accountability for Economic Outcomes	222	(29)
Jose Antonio Cheibub
Adam Przeworski
Part Two: The Structure of Government and Accountability	251	(76)
8 Accountability in Athenian Politics	253	(26)
Jon Elster
9 Government Accountability in Parliamentary Democracy	279	(18)
Michael Laver
Kenneth A. Shepsle
10 Mixing Elected and Nonelected Officials in Democratic Policy Making: Fundamentals of Accountability and Responsibility	297	(30)
Delmer D. Dunn
Part Three: Overview	327	(18)
11 Situating Democratic Political Accountability	329	(16)
John Dunn
Author Index	345	(5)
Subject Index	350