Analysing the Trust-Transparency Nexus: Multi-level Governance in the UK, France and Germany

Transparency is essential for building and restoring citizen and civil society trust in governance and democracy. This volume examines the relationship between trust and transparency in multi-level governance and highlights the challenges of delivering this agenda.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Transparency is a crucial factor in building and restoring citizen and civil society trust in governance and democracy. In Europe, there is a growing recognition of the need for effective forms of citizen engagement and decentralization in policy-making to engage increasingly diverse populations and increase trust. This volume explores the relationship between trust and transparency in the context of multi-level governance. Drawing on fieldwork from the UK, France, and Germany, the comparative analysis examines different efforts to build trust between key actors involved in decision-making at the sub-national level. It outlines the challenges of delivering this agenda and explores the paradox that trust might require transparency, yet in some instances transparency may undermine trust.

One of the key findings of the volume is that transparency is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different stakeholders have different needs and expectations when it comes to transparency, and effective engagement strategies must be tailored to these needs. For example, local communities may value transparency in decision-making processes, while national governments may prioritize transparency in policy implementation.

Another challenge is the perception of transparency by citizens. While transparency can be a powerful tool for building trust, it can also be perceived as a means of surveillance or control by some individuals or groups. This can lead to resistance to transparency efforts and undermine the credibility of governance institutions.

To address these challenges, the volume suggests a range of strategies for building trust and transparency in governance and democracy. These include:

• Engaging with stakeholders: Effective engagement with stakeholders can help to build trust and ensure that decision-making processes are inclusive and representative. This can involve consultation exercises, public hearings, and other forms of dialogue to ensure that different perspectives are heard and considered.

• Providing access to information: Providing access to information can help to build trust by ensuring that citizens have the information they need to make informed decisions. This can involve open data policies, public access to government documents, and other measures to increase transparency.

• Building trust through accountability: Building trust through accountability can help to ensure that governance institutions are held responsible for their actions. This can involve measures such as independent oversight, whistleblower protection, and transparent reporting of performance metrics.

• Promoting transparency in policy implementation: Promoting transparency in policy implementation can help to build trust by ensuring that policies are implemented effectively and that their impact is monitored and evaluated. This can involve measures such as monitoring and evaluation frameworks, public reporting of progress, and engagement with stakeholders throughout the policy implementation process.

• Addressing the paradox of transparency: Addressing the paradox of transparency can help to ensure that transparency efforts are effective and do not undermine trust. This can involve measures such as balancing transparency with privacy concerns, providing context and explanation for decisions, and ensuring that transparency efforts are not used as a tool for surveillance or control.

In conclusion, transparency is a necessary condition to build and restore citizen and civil society trust in governance and democracy. While there are challenges to delivering transparency, effective engagement strategies and a commitment to accountability can help to build trust and promote effective governance. By engaging with stakeholders, providing access to information, building trust through accountability, promoting transparency in policy implementation, and addressing the paradox of transparency, governance institutions can work towards building a more inclusive and responsive democracy.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447355229