Political Accountability and Responsibility in the Government

An exploratory look into accountability and responsibility in the legislative branch

Essay , 2008 , 8 Pages , Grade: B+

Organisation and administration - Miscellaneous

History has proven, and will continue to prove, that in a democratic society such as Canada, the ultimate mechanism to ensure accountability is democracy. And through the critique of accountability and responsibility, one may find the true bearer of power: public citizens. The government has to be accountable to its citizens because the power is ultimately delegated by them, through voting. To sustain this power, the public must continuously ensure that governments are being responsible and accountable, for anything less is undemocratic.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Accountability and Responsibility in the Legislative Branch
• Ministerial Responsibility
• Collective Ministerial Responsibility
• Individual Ministerial Responsibility
• Departments and Deputy Ministers

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This text explores the concept of political accountability and responsibility within the Canadian legislative branch. The focus is on examining how accountability operates in a representative democracy and the mechanisms in place to ensure that government actions are subject to scrutiny and oversight. The key themes explored include:

• The fundamental importance of accountability in a democratic society.
• The distinction between individual and collective ministerial responsibility.
• The role of civil servants in the accountability framework.
• The challenges of balancing power with accountability in government operations.
• The mechanisms through which accountability is exercised in the Canadian political system.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Accountability and Responsibility in the Legislative Branch

The text begins by defining accountability as a crucial element of democracy, highlighting the responsibility of government officials to the citizens they represent. The author emphasizes the significance of parliamentary control in Canada, where ministers are accountable to parliament and, ultimately, to the electorate. The text explores how accountability serves as a mechanism to control the power vested in elected officials, ensuring that actions are not taken without consideration or consequence.

Ministerial Responsibility

This section dives deeper into the concept of ministerial responsibility, distinguishing between collective and individual accountability. Collective responsibility refers to the government's overall accountability to parliament, emphasizing the solidarity of the cabinet and the government as a whole. The text explains how this doctrine maintains government stability and confidentiality, ensuring that all cabinet members are supportive of government policies. Individual ministerial responsibility, on the other hand, places a direct onus on individual ministers to answer for the actions of their department, even if they were not personally involved. This section explores the complexities of this responsibility, particularly in situations where a public servant makes a mistake, and the convention of political neutrality that protects civil servants from public scrutiny.

Departments and Deputy Ministers

The text delves into the role of departments and deputy ministers in the government structure. Departments, as public agencies, are responsible for day-to-day operations and are overseen by individual ministers. Deputy ministers, appointed by the Prime Minister, assist ministers in managing their portfolio, providing expertise and administrative support. The text highlights the accountability of deputy ministers to their respective ministers and their role in exercising the minister's authority.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key concepts and terms explored in this text include: accountability, responsibility, parliamentary control, collective ministerial responsibility, individual ministerial responsibility, civil servants, political neutrality, departments, deputy ministers, and the Canadian political system. These terms highlight the central themes of government accountability and the mechanisms in place to ensure that government actions are subject to scrutiny and oversight in a representative democracy.

• College: Ottawa University
• Course: Understanding Politics
• Grade: B+
• Author: Cory Contini (Author)
• Publication Year: 2008
• Pages: 8
• Catalog Number: V230610
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656462101
• ISBN (Book): 9783656462835
• Language: English
• Tags: political, accountability, government, responsibilty