ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the effects of weak accountability on the characteristics of a democratic system of government. It distinguishes between the beneficial effects of democracy and what democracy actually means. The chapter analyses the relationship between weak accountability and democracy, paying particular attention to freedom of speech, freedom of political association, electoral choice, representation and the public interest. There are many other prerequisites of democracy which are very important in countries emerging from authoritarianism. Weak accountability has consequences that extend beyond the system of government into the areas of socio-economic development and human rights, both of which have been found to be necessary conditions for democracy as well as for a decent life. D. C. Miller argued that democracy in America means that people are given rights to vote and rights to freedom of speech, assembly, and religion that are extended through, for example, equal opportunity to information and jobs.
