When the Counting Is Over, Can Governments Govern?

Abstract

Elections determine who will govern but they cannot assure that the newly elected government will be able to govern effectively. Each government has to face unique policy problems and all of them will have to meet the challenges that constrain their ability to govern. This article explores three of those common challenges: the ability to exercise effective leadership, managing the constraints and changes of the institutions of government, and understanding the external events that constantly threaten the government’s standing and derail its best considered policies and strategies.