In a representative democracy, what must constituents expect from their elected officials?

In a representative democracy, constituents have a legitimate expectation for transparency in the actions and decisions of their elected officials. This transparency is critical for ensuring accountability; it allows citizens to understand how and why decisions are made, fostering trust between the electorate and their representatives. When officials operate transparently, constituents can assess whether their interests are being considered and whether representatives are acting in the public's best interest. Transparency also empowers citizens to engage more effectively in the democratic process, as it provides them with the information needed to participate in discussions, advocate for their interests, and make informed voting decisions.

The other options present expectations that are either unrealistic or not foundational to the democratic process. For instance, complete agreement on all issues is not feasible in a diverse society with varied opinions and interests. Additionally, expecting results without any engagement undermines the participatory nature of democracy. Lastly, while timely responses to requests are important, it is unrealistic to expect representatives to respond to every request swiftly, given the complexity and volume of the issues they handle.