Question

What would happen if there were no restrictions on the powers of elected officials?

Answer 1

Hint: In a representative democracy, the citizens elect their representatives by the method of voting in an election who are then responsible for governing on the behalf of the citizens and accountable to them. It truly is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Democratic institutions function with the obligation to represent the demands of the people and justify their actions to them.

Complete Step by Step answer: Without restrictions and checks to their power, elected officials tend to become despotic and democracy loses its essence. This has been the prime cause of autocracy and dictatorship that the world has witnessed throughout history. Accountability is a central facet of representative democracy. It is done in one form by the people exercising their right to vote in periodic elections and demanding transparency in the functioning of government through various methods. If people are unhappy with the working of their representatives they tend to vote them out of office after the term. It is done in another form where there is a functional separation of power between the organs of the state and each organ enjoys checks and balances over the other. For example, in India, the judiciary by its power of judicial review can declare any law made by the legislature as null and void if it does not align with the provisions of the Constitution. The Parliament holds the power to impeach the President or the Chief Justice of India. The Council of Ministers (Executive) are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

 Note: In a representative democracy, citizens hold the right to access public information and inter-state institutions also enjoy checks and balances over each other to ensure transparency and proper functioning.