If that performance has been perceived as being poor, the government is likely to be voted out. A greatly reduced Parliamentary majority can serve as a warning to the government that it needs to be more aware of the public s needs. The one great distinguishing feature between a democracy and an absolute state, is that people power ultimately paves the way for a future government in the votes cast at a general election. Therefore, by this very occurrence, governments in a democracy have to be accountable to the people. This accountability goes down to elected officials at town level - elections will determine whether local officials continue with their work or not.
Authority Elected governments have authority to decide policies etc.
Authority involves the right to issue commands, to make rules and to expect people to comply with those rules based on the legitimacy of the government being elected by the people. With that authority also comes the acceptance that others might have different views to the government and these need to be respected. It also has the inherent aspect to it, that if a government should fail in an election, it will give up its power to the party that won that election. The concept of authority has as its main source tradition, custom and law. The part played by colourful party leaders is also important.