Which feature of developmental democracy ensures scrutiny and accountability in governance?

Separation of powers is a fundamental feature of developmental democracies that promotes scrutiny and accountability in governance. This concept refers to the division of government responsibilities among distinct branches: typically the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Each branch operates independently and has specific powers and responsibilities, which helps prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

By ensuring that different entities within the government can check each other's powers, separation of powers allows for oversight and accountability. For instance, the legislative branch has the authority to create laws and can conduct investigations into the actions of the executive branch, while the judiciary can interpret laws and rule on their constitutionality, also checking the powers of both the executive and legislative branches. This framework encourages transparency and helps to hold public officials accountable for their actions, reducing the risk of corruption and abuse of power.

In contrast, executive dominance concentrates power in a single branch, which can lead to a lack of accountability. Judicial discretion might allow for interpretation of laws but does not guarantee checks on executive or legislative actions. An absolute monarchy lacks the essential checks and balances characteristic of democratic systems, leading to unaccountable governance. Thus, separation of powers stands out as the feature vital for promoting accountability within a developmental democracy.