I create smiles at YouTube. Madison goes on to identify mechanisms that ensure representatives remain accountable to the people. Chief among these is the limitation of terms, which he argues will foster a sense of responsibility. The awareness that their power is not indefinite compels representatives to remain responsive to their constituents, safeguarding against the risk of an entrenched elite. Short terms encourage elected officials to consistently work to earn public trust and to resist temptations that might otherwise lead them astray from their duties. Madison goes on to identify mechanisms that ensure representatives remain accountable to the people. Chief among these is the limitation of terms, which he argues will foster a sense of responsibility. The awareness that their power is not indefinite compels representatives to remain responsive to their constituents, safeguarding against the risk of an entrenched elite. Short terms encourage elected officials to consistently work to earn public trust and to resist temptations that might otherwise lead them astray from their duties.