Main principles of representative government - Bernard Manin

According to Bernard Manin: "Four principles have invariably been observed in representative regimes, ever since this form of government was invented:

1. Those who govern are appointed by election at regular intervals.
2. The decision-making of those who govern retains a degree of independence from the wishes of the electorate.
3. Those who are governed may give expression to their opinions and political wishes without these being subject to the control of those who govern.
4. Public decisions undergo the trial of debate."

[Source: 'The principles of Representative Government' (1997), p. 6]