Government, not just during coronavirus, makes huge use of unelected experts and agencies

From the chief medical adviser to regulators of energy, communications and water, its working relies on people and organisations whose standing depends partly on a degree of independence from politicians. 

But when their views are controversial, the side that doesn’t like the pronouncement gibes that the person is unelected. The challenge is an ancient one. “Who will guard the guards themselves?” was the famous query of the satirical poet Juvenal in ancient Rome. 

It has acquired new force, though, in modern democracies which rely on a vast apparatus of bureaucrats, agencies and experts to enable the elected government to do its job.

FT 22 December 2021

https://www.ft.com/content/0c5c8d5e-811b-40aa-8cdb-f7e54bb6dea6