Chapter 10 Self-test questions

There is a definitive set of standards of good governance upon which everyone agrees.

True

False

According to James Madison: the ____ of the people is 'the object of government'.

What is the Committee on Standards in Public Life and what does it do?

It is an international organisation which oversees good governance around the world.

It is a charity which investigates abuses of power and makes recommendations to the government.

It is an independent public body which monitors standards in public life.

It is a judicial body which can sanction public officials for breaching standards of good governance.

What does the concept of accountability mean? At its most basic level, according to Bovens, accountability can be understood as a relationship between an actor and an accountability _____.

The most direct way political accountability operates in the UK tends to be through regular elections. But what are the weaknesses of such an accountability mechanism? Select all that apply.

Elections tend to occur infrequently.

There is very little chance of the party in power changing in practice.

The government is not elected directly, so voters are not influenced by government actions in practice.

Elections feature discussion of limited issues; it is difficult to suggest that the government holds a public mandate for every action it takes.

What is the effect of recommendations made during the course of a public inquiry into certain government actions?

The recommendations have no legal effect, but they may have significant political effect if they are accepted by government or energise the public.

Recommendations made by inquiries are legally binding upon the government.

Recommendations made by public inquiries may or may not be legally binding on the government, depending on the nature of the inquiry and the government bodies involved.

The recommendations have no legal effect on the current government, but are binding upon the government in charge following the next general election.

One strength of legal accountability is that a government is required to comply with a court judgment. Unlike with political accountability mechanisms, legal orders cannot be ignored.

True

False

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