Sparation of Powers and Accountability : Towards a Formal Approach to Comparative Politics.

A political constitution is like an incomplete contract : it spells out a procedure for making decisions and for delegating power, without specifying the contents of those decisions. This creates a problem : the appointed policy maker could use this power for his own benefit against the interests of the citizens. In democracies, elections are the primary mechanism for disciplining public officials. But elections are not sufficient. Separation of powers between executive and legislative bodies also helps the voters, in two distincts ways.