The correct option is (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation
Representative democracy is a form of government where citizens elect officials to create laws and formulate policies on their behalf. The core principle sustaining this system is political accountability, which ensures that the elected representatives remain answerable to the electorate.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Assertion (A) is Correct: In a representative democracy, the government does not hold absolute power; its authority is derived from the mandate of the people. Consequently, the government is structurally compelled to be responsive to the needs, aspirations, and views of the citizens to maintain its legitimacy and public trust.
- Reason (R) is Correct: Political accountability is the mechanism that enforces this responsiveness. It is primarily exercised through regular, free, and fair elections, where citizens have the power to renew or revoke the mandate of their representatives. Additionally, constitutional mechanisms (such as the legislature holding the executive accountable) ensure that the government remains answerable for its decisions.
- Justification for Option (a): The Reason (R) correctly explains the Assertion (A). The government is "compelled to respond" (A) precisely because there are mechanisms like regular elections (R) that enforce accountability. If the government fails to respond to the people's needs, the mechanism of elections ensures they can be removed from power. Thus, R provides the causal link for A.
Key Takeaway:
Regular elections act as the primary instrument of political accountability in a democracy, creating the necessary compulsion for the government to remain responsive to the electorate.