Government Transparency: State of the Art and New Perspectives

The Element argues that to understand why transparency "works" in one context but fails in another, we have to take into account how institutional (macro), organizational (meso), and individual behavior (micro) contexts interact. Research from each perspective shows that the big promises of greater transparency during the 20th century have not been delivered, but transparency is still a hallmark of democratic governance and can be successful in combating government corruption.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 07 July 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Element argues that to understand why transparency "works" in one context but fails in another, we have to take into account how institutional (macro), organizational (meso), and individual behavior (micro) contexts interact. A review of research from each of these perspectives shows that the big promises thought to accompany greater transparency during the first two decades of the 20th century have not been delivered. For example, transparency does not necessarily lead to better government performance and more trust in government. At the same time, transparency is still a hallmark of democratic governance, as this book highlights, for instance, transparency has been relatively successful in combating government corruption. Finally, by explicitly taking a multilayered perspective into account, this Element develops new paths for future research.

Transparency is a complex concept that has been the subject of much debate and research in recent years. While transparency can be seen as a positive tool for promoting accountability, efficiency, and democratic governance, it can also have negative consequences, such as reducing trust, stifling innovation, and exacerbating power imbalances. One of the key challenges in understanding the impact of transparency is the fact that it operates at different levels, from individual behavior to institutional structures. This Element argues that to understand why transparency "works" in one context but fails in another, we have to take into account how institutional (macro), organizational (meso), and individual behavior (micro) contexts interact.

A review of research from each of these perspectives shows that the big promises thought to accompany greater transparency during the first two decades of the 20th century have not been delivered. For example, transparency does not necessarily lead to better government performance and more trust in government. On the contrary, some studies have found that greater transparency can actually lead to less effective government and reduced trust in government institutions. At the same time, transparency is still a hallmark of democratic governance and as this book highlights, for instance, transparency has been relatively successful in combating government corruption.

One of the key reasons why transparency is effective in combating government corruption is that it allows citizens to hold their government accountable. When government actions are transparent, citizens can see how their tax dollars are being spent and who is benefiting from them. This can lead to increased public scrutiny of government officials and reduced corruption. However, transparency is not a panacea for all problems. For example, transparency can be difficult to achieve in complex organizations with multiple layers of bureaucracy. It can also be challenging to implement in contexts where there is a high level of political instability or where government institutions are weak.

To address these challenges, this Element develops new paths for future research. One of the key areas of research is the role of transparency in promoting accountability and democratic governance. This includes exploring how transparency can be implemented in complex organizations and how it can be used to promote citizen engagement and participation in government decision-making. Another area of research is the impact of transparency on innovation and economic growth. This includes exploring how transparency can be used to promote competition, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and how it can be used to reduce corruption and promote economic development.

Finally, this Element emphasizes the importance of taking a multilayered perspective when studying transparency. This includes examining how different types of transparency (e.g., financial transparency, political transparency, and social transparency) interact with each other and how they can be used to promote different outcomes. By taking a multilayered perspective, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics that shape transparency and its impact on society.

In conclusion, transparency is a complex concept that operates at different levels and has different impacts depending on the context. While transparency can be a positive tool for promoting accountability, efficiency, and democratic governance, it can also have negative consequences. By taking a multilayered perspective and examining how institutional, organizational, and individual behavior interact, researchers can develop new paths for future research that can help us better understand the impact of transparency on society.

Weight: 137g
ISBN-13: 9781108728997