ABSTRACT
The analysis in this chapter shares the newly rediscovered interest of political scientists in institutions as constraints on political choices (e.g., March and Olsen, 1989), but lays equal stress on the ‘constitutional’ choices giving rise to institutions. Chapter 5 concluded with the general guideline of enhancing visibility in institutional choices. Up to now that guideline has been developed in the discussion of institutional arrangements disseminating knowledge about the accessibility, cost and benefit of services. The basic principles of representative democracy – political freedom, peaceful change of government, majority rule, freedom of expression, protection against discrimination, equal treatment under law, and judicial independence – are taken as givens in this discussion. Applied to the workings of representative democracy, visibility can be expressed as accountability. Just as individuals must be able to see the outcomes of their choices, so they must be able to hold officials accountable for theirs. In assessing political structures, the first test is whether they foster or inhibit the capacity to hold appropriate parties accountable for their actions or inaction. The stress is on the word appropriate, for knowing whom to hold accountable means not looking to hold inappropriate parties accountable.
