C4D Network

Global community of professionals working in Communication for Development

Advanced Search
  • Home
    • About Us
  • News & Events
    • Newsfeed
    • Events
    • Opportunities
  • Network Community
    • Members
    • Country Chapters
  • Learning
    • C4D Know-How
    • C4D in Action
    • Learning Resources
    • C4D Development Topics
  • Recruitment
  • Support & Services
    • Consultancy
    • Service Providers

Politicians’ perspectives on voice and accountability: evidence from a survey of South African local councillors (Making All Voices Count Research Report, 2017)

March 3, 2018

A growing body of research exists on democratic accountability. Much of this research focuses on citizen strategies for expressing their views, and on efforts to hold politicians and government service providers accountable. Despite this research, little is known about how politicians in young democracies view these aspects of democratic governance.

Given that accountability can be understood as a feedback ‘loop’ between citizens and elected representatives, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of the norms and values of politicians themselves, the pressures they face and the ways that they communicate with their constituents.

This paper details findings from an original survey of approximately 1,000 South African councillors in 2016 and 2017 to explore what representation and accountability looks like from their perspective. How do they understand the various links in the accountability chain, including citizen input and deliberation, norms of good government and pressures from political parties, friends and family? The quality of democratic accountability, and the success of interventions to improve citizen representation, may depend on the norms and beliefs held by elected representatives.

Click here for for further details and to download the report.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Civic Education, Governance, Publications (published in print and/or online), Social Mobilisation, South Africa, Voice and Accountability

Site Navigation

Join C4D
Contact Us
Get Involved
Facebook Group
LinkedIn Group

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Social Networks

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Communication for Development Network
Registered address:
Finsbury House, New Street,
Chipping Norton, Oxon, OX7 5LL, UK
E-mail [email protected]
Non-profit Company Number: 7734410

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2023 C4D Network · Website by IndigoBird