A functioning democracy is defined by various characteristics, such as freedom of speech, equality, human rights, rule of law and much more. When autocratic rulers or monarchs were in power, these outcomes of modern society were obviously not guaranteed. They might have respected those rights momentarily, but since they couldn't be held accountable for their actions, they could simply fire them without further consequences. This is why the responsibility of political agents in democracies has become of great importance. But what exactly is responsibility? The extensive literature assumes that simply maintaining free and fair conduct is the best way for citizens to hold their political representatives accountable. So, if the voter does not feel satisfied with what the elected representative has provided him, in the next elections he simply switches to another political candidate. A further problem is represented by unelected agents in the public sphere. The main reason they are a complication is that they cannot be held accountable by the voter since they are not elected. If the voter is dissatisfied or disappointed with his results he cannot express it by voting for an alternative. Accountability is first and foremost a relationship between two groups of actors (in reality, most are played not between individuals, but between organizations) in which the first agrees to inform the other, explain or justify his actions and submit to any pre-information. certain sanctions that the latter may impose. This is the definition given by Philippe C. Schmitter and Karl Terry. From a political point of view it means that the elected person remains responsible to the voter. In other words the voter has the possibility of getting rid of the previously elected person through another election. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. The latter, who have become subject to the former, must provide information, explain how they are obeying or not and accept the possible consequences. So accountability, when it works, is not a linear relationship but rather a mutual exchange of responsibility and potential sanction. Information can be selective and distorted justifications and explanations can be diverted to other actors. Sanctions are rarely enforced and can simply be ignored. The definition of responsibility can be applied to different areas: it can be linked to ethical behavior, financial probity, social esteem, functional interdependence, family obligation, patriotic duty. We want to focus on the political responsibility that goes hand in hand with the exercise of asymmetric power. (promises and rewards). The main question is how to tame and exploit the power of institutions, especially those that hold a monopoly on power over a given population and territory, i.e. a modern state. All stable political regimes have some sort of responsibility. Military dictatorships have their own juntas and other arrangements to resolve conflicts. Absolute monarchies were also supposed to be accountable to God, but they also had to consider more earthly aspects such as dynastic and martial concerns. The main difference between these regimes and democracy is that the latter has citizens. Who have rights and duties. Citizens must rely on the representatives they have elected to speak for them. These agents likely aspire to be re-elected, which gives them an incentive to perform well. Political accountability must be institutionalized. This can happen in various forms, for example in codes.