Comments on: Introducing the Cycle of Transparency http://govfresh.com/2010/03/introducing-the-cycle-of-transparency/ Open Air Government Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: David Sasaki http://govfresh.com/2010/03/introducing-the-cycle-of-transparency/comment-page-1/#comment-2224 David Sasaki Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:34:30 +0000 http://govfresh.com/?p=5558#comment-2224 Jake, I find this diagram to be very informative in thinking about the work we all do both in terms of iteration (what do we want accomplished in the next two years versus ten years) and collaboration (who should we be working with). But I notice that we don't see accountability anywhere in the cycle (other than "organize and take action" by advocacy groups and think tanks). But there is a major difference between lobbying and holding officials and institutions accountable. This question of how does transparency lead to greater accountability is something I've been mulling over a lot in our research at the <a href="http://transparency.globalvoicesonline.org/" rel="nofollow">Technology for Transparency Network</a>. I've found Jonathan Fox's paper "<a href="http://escholarship.org/uc/item/8c25c3z4" rel="nofollow">The Uncertain Relationship between Transparency and Accountability</a>" to be a useful exploration of what types of transparency can lead to what types of accountability, and how. My concern is that we could all keep going around the "transparency cycle" without ever building in processes to ensure that legislators are held accountable. I agree that it's inspiring when cultural change trumps legislative change, but we've all seen how fragile cultural change can be at all levels of government from one election to the next. Jake, I find this diagram to be very informative in thinking about the work we all do both in terms of iteration (what do we want accomplished in the next two years versus ten years) and collaboration (who should we be working with). But I notice that we don’t see accountability anywhere in the cycle (other than “organize and take action” by advocacy groups and think tanks). But there is a major difference between lobbying and holding officials and institutions accountable.

This question of how does transparency lead to greater accountability is something I’ve been mulling over a lot in our research at the Technology for Transparency Network. I’ve found Jonathan Fox’s paper “The Uncertain Relationship between Transparency and Accountability” to be a useful exploration of what types of transparency can lead to what types of accountability, and how. My concern is that we could all keep going around the “transparency cycle” without ever building in processes to ensure that legislators are held accountable. I agree that it’s inspiring when cultural change trumps legislative change, but we’ve all seen how fragile cultural change can be at all levels of government from one election to the next.

]]> By: Mattias Ganslandt http://govfresh.com/2010/03/introducing-the-cycle-of-transparency/comment-page-1/#comment-2201 Mattias Ganslandt Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:50:47 +0000 http://govfresh.com/?p=5558#comment-2201 Jake, you certainly raise many valuable points. Government transparency should be figured out and implemented by now, but obviously it is not. The crafting of policies to release data is important, the actual release even more so. Reuse and third party refinement can add value to public information, thus creating synergies which benefit citizens. ICT is essential to achieve these efficiency gains and endless possibilities are available today, waiting to be implemented. ICT can especially contribute to create a more transparent and easy accessible government. At the center of development are ICT standards, which are needed to ensure portability, interoperability etc in order to reach the full efficiency potential of eGov services. In connection to the Sunshine Week (March 14-20) an open forum will be held on www.Talkstandards.com on March 18, 4 pm GMT, where discussion will cover the role of ICTs in creating a more open form of government. //Mattias Ganslandt Jake, you certainly raise many valuable points. Government transparency should be figured out and implemented by now, but obviously it is not. The crafting of policies to release data is important, the actual release even more so. Reuse and third party refinement can add value to public information, thus creating synergies which benefit citizens. ICT is essential to achieve these efficiency gains and endless possibilities are available today, waiting to be implemented.

ICT can especially contribute to create a more transparent and easy accessible government. At the center of development are ICT standards, which are needed to ensure portability, interoperability etc in order to reach the full efficiency potential of eGov services. In connection to the Sunshine Week (March 14-20) an open forum will be held on http://www.Talkstandards.com on March 18, 4 pm GMT, where discussion will cover the role of ICTs in creating a more open form of government. //Mattias Ganslandt

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