(This is an archived extract from the book Patterns of Power: Edition 2)
Irrespective of the political system, the way in which politicians behave is important. The acceptability of governance as a whole depends upon their performance. As described in the next four sub-sections, they need to show responsiveness (6.3.3.1), competence (6.3.3.2), integrity (6.3.3.3) and a focus on public service (6.3.3.4).
These four aspects of performance depend upon politicians as individuals; it is always possible for someone to perform poorly, even in the best-designed political system. Politicians should be held to account for failure to serve the public well – as described at the end of this chapter (6.8.5.2).
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