Transparency in search of a theory

Bibliographic Data

ID2398076
AuthorsMark Fenster (0000-0002-9535-5474, University of Florida, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume18
Issue2
Pages150-167
Publication date2015-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEuropean Journal of Social Theory (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-4310 • E-ISSN: 1461-7137
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1368431014555257
OpenAlexW2035060069
LanguageEN
Citations received52
References cited45

Transparency's importance as an administrative norm seems self-evident. Prevailing ideals of political theory stipulate that the more visible government is, the more democratic, accountable, and legitimate it appears. The disclosure of state information consistently disappoints, however: there is never enough of it, while it often seems not to produce a truer democracy, a more accountable state, better policies, and a more contented populace. This gap between theory and practice suggests that the theoretical assumptions that provide the basis for transparency are wrong. This article argues that transparency is best understood as a theory of communication that excessively simplifies and thus is blind to the complexities of the contemporary state, government information, and the public. Taking them fully into account, the article argues, should lead us to question the state's ability to control information, which in turn should make us question not only the improbability of the state making itself visible, but also the improbability of the state keeping itself secret

Democracy · Government (linguistics · Law and economics · Norm (philosophy · Open government · Political philosophy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · State (computer science · Transparency (behavior · Computer Science · Cybersecurity and Cyber Warfare Studies · E-Government and Public Services · Law · Social Media and Politics

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