The Principal Place of the Divine Right Theory in Achieving Sustainable Public Accountability

Abstract

Several theoretical and legal attempts have been made to achieve public accountability. Despite these, the challenge with achieving public accountability persists. Legal frameworks appear not to have been sufficient in curtailing the penchant of public officials to privatise public resources. In the consideration of this paper, something beyond legal frameworks is needed to ensure proper public accountability. This paper considers the nature of allegiance in Divine Right Theory against the backdrop of theories of public accountability and the challenge to public accountability and concludes that the ultimate test in achieving public accountability is the conscience of the public actor. Accordingly, the paper considers that the Divine Right Theory is the ultimate restraint and moderator of the conscience of public actors and therefore, the ultimate guide to achieving credible public accountability. Consequently, the theory of the Divine Right is considered as the means by which public accountability can be secured. However, the public can only measure the degree of adherence of the public actor to divine restrictions by the record of their character. Against this backdrop, it is recommended that greater attention should be given to the profile of those who seek public office.