This contributors offer an in-depth exploration of how contemporary democracies organise, distribute, and restrain political power through evolving systems of accountability. They present interdisciplinary perspectives that illuminate the legal, institutional, and societal mechanisms designed to ensure transparency, responsibility, and responsiveness in public life. By analysing both formal procedures and informal norms, the authors reveal how accountability shapes decision-making, influences political behaviour, and fosters democratic trust. They also address emerging challenges, such as polarisation, technological change, and declining civic engagement, showing how they redefine expectations toward those in power. Power Under Scrutiny: How Accountability Shapes Modern Democracies