Transparency and trust in government (2007–2014): a comparative study

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State: Public
Version: Author's accepted manuscript
Serval ID
serval:BIB_1E75795CA31A
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Transparency and trust in government (2007–2014): a comparative study
Journal
NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy
Author(s)
Mabillard Vincent, Pasquier Martial
ISSN
1337-9038
ISSN-L
1338-4309
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2016
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
9
Number
2
Pages
69-92
Language
english
Abstract
This article exposes contemporary approaches to transparency and trust. It explores the links between the two concepts in 10 countries between 2007 and 2014, using open data indexes and access to information requests as proxies for transparency. So far, most studies have focused on conceptual models, specific aspects of transparency in particular case studies or have compared legal frameworks from different countries. Here, data about citizens’ requests to get access to administrative documents have been gathered. This dataset, combined with existing indexes on open data and government, has enabled us to establish a national ranking, particularly useful in a comparative perspective. Data about trust have been collected from reports published by international organisations. Key findings prove that there is no sharp decline of trust in government in all countries considered in this article. They also tend to show that transparency and trust in government are not systematically positively associated. Therefore, this article challenges the common assumption, mostly found in the normative literature, about a positive interrelation between the two, where trust in government is conceived as a beneficial effect of administrative transparency. Finally, it suggests that mis(trust) may be considered a key driver of transparency and would as such call for more transparency from public bodies.
Keywords
Transparency, freedom of information, open data, trust in government, public administration
Open Access
Yes
Create date
17/01/2017 16:08
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:54
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