One of the major prerequisites of a good government is argued to be transparency as it exhibits good governance. In essence, the art of transparency from the public`s perspective is the ability of the government to provide detailed and diverse information about matters concerning the country, being accountable and accurately and sufficiently giving major reports to the public. It is debated that the government is an advocacy body for its citizens which affirms the need for it to be open to them especially on disclosing and disseminating information. In a broader perspective greater accountability comes with the incorporation of public concerns including management of finances, scrutiny processes used to select public strategies and enlightening them about possible catastrophes. However, even with the demand for the government to be transparent, critics and debates have been raised on the essence of withholding sensitive data and information especially if it may jeopardize the security of the public. In other words, even with the need for openness it is argued that the government should maintain transparency to a certain degree meaning information disclosure at a given range. Ideally, while it is essential for the government to be transparent in its conduct, it is important to evaluate the dangers or demerits of the degree of openness especially if the outcomes are detrimental.
Government transparency is a major tool of democracy thus the essence of its practice. In essence, openness is one of the key values that facilitates democracy in the sense that the public are actively participative in political processes as they access the rightfully access information about the legislation. In addition to that, citizens are able to take part in the decision-making processes of the government which helps to ensure that their interests are incorporated in the implementations made by the government 1 . For example, the primary purpose of calling a referendum in a country is to allow citizens air their view or perception about a government proposal before enactment. In order to sustain democracy, the public must be able to trust the government and the reforms of governance. By this, the well-being becomes the core of government`s mandate. Also, an open government allows easy application of the law and fosters respect for human rights standards which are critical facets when defining democracy. When a governing body is open, it is possible to have free and fair justice and political systems which concentrate more on public participation and the consideration of their affairs in a just manner. As an ideal pivot of democracy, an open government facilitates the growth of a vibrant civil society. In connection to that the public gains confidence in the courts and the police department as well as other relevant government authorities. An established rule of law that retains peace and security as well as effective justice institutions can only thrive of the government is transparent enough to allow scrutiny of ineffective persons in these areas.
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Government transparency also gives a better meaning of good governance. Notably, openness is inextricably connected to governance as well as its effectiveness. One of the major ways of implementing policies is through the consideration of the public in government affairs. Having the cooperation of the public network which means tabling down presumed provisions is a practical way of effecting good governance. In other words, good governance entails clarity and openness with a clear formulation of government policies and considering the influence they have on the members of the public. Therefore, in order to ensure that this model of governing is effective enough, the government should consider being open enough and including the concerns of the public in the implementation of the policies that end up having an impact in their lives. Doing so will eliminate cases of riots and unnecessary campaigns that question the credibility and authenticity of the government in one way or another 2 . The freedom of information is relevant in the idea that it helps to make sure that the community is well informed about the great development values incorporated in the government’s provisions.
Transparency from the government is a too of efficiency and effectiveness especially on how the government stipulates and makes implementations in various plans. One thing to note is that the when a government is transparent enough, it enlightens the members of the public about the processes and decisions bound to be made and is able to select the best that will work for the good of them. By taking such an initiative, the government ensures discipline in every sector meaning that issues of irregularities and uncouth practices are eliminated within the parameters that the government operates. High level of discipline is a mirror for effectiveness and efficiency on how the government delivers its course to the public 3 . In essence, honest and open policy makers can only exist in a transparent government. Their existence means that they are able to offer comprehensive and relevant feedback and insights of consideration before making conclusive decisions on public matters. Observing this facet facilitates efficiency and practically of how the government handles its responsibilities. Efficiency in the government is also seen in the context of redistribution of resources evenly while capturing various societal needs and addressing them on time. Such measures help a country to improve socioeconomically and other related areas like boosted living standards as a result of the government`s involvement in public welfare.
Embracing openness is one of the greatest weapons that works against ending and suppressing corruption. It is good to identify that information is one of the most effective tools to use when dealing with corruption. Ideally when the government is open or rather transparent leaders are unable to find loopholes of exercising biased actions that may jeopardized the welfare of the common good. In connection to that, when information is comprehensive within an open government, it is possible for members of the public to identify incompetent leaders who do not fit to serve the civil service. A transparent government will always look out for leaders who are not consistent and even subject them to the rule of law especially if they engage in vices like money laundry 4 . One of the things that makes corrupt leaders to thrive and continue occupying government seats is because inadequate information is given to the public about them. Furthermore, when infective measures of scrutinizing the effectiveness of the government officers are used, it is possible to have incompetent and unreliable leaders whose main goal is to siphon public funds and resources. However, when the government agrees to ensure transparency in its course, then accountability and credibility becomes the defining facets when it comes to evaluating the reliability of such leaders.
One undeniable outcome of a transparent government is that it fosters innovation and the creation of new ideas of knowledge. The government is none of the effective entities that help to foster innovative grounds and cultivate ways of allowing the growth of new creations and ideas. One way of doing this is to allow the commercial application of the innovative ideas through the introduction of initiatives that support the same. Without transparency such priorities of developing common grounds of innovativeness cannot be in existence. In connection to that, when innovative ideas are presented, it mostly calls for access of various facilities to make them practical and applicable even in the commercial sectors. Thus, it is for the government to be open enough to an extent that members of the public who possess these pieces of innovative ideas can confine to them for assistance and support 5 . The private sector also contributes tremendously to the development of innovativeness as well as the development of new services and applications. From diverse perspective, sometimes the private seems to operate distinctly from how the government does lacking a connection between the two. If the government seeks to experience growth in these industries then it should look to hold on to the purpose of ensuring that any needs that may arise during the creation of these pieces of knowledge as well innovation are met effectively. The most innovative countries also tend to have open and transparent governments.
Even with the quest to run a transparent government, some of the issues might be disseminated might be too sensitive for the members of the public especially if they threaten matters of national security. For example, the government already holds sensitive information about borderline conflicts, threats from other nations of terror groups or even planned attacks among other issues that touch directly to the public security. In connection to that the government may be planning sensitive strategies and laying out plans that might seem risky from the perspective of the public. Much of such is not anticipated by the citizens and the highest possibility is that they will be negatively assimilated. In other words, it is possible for the government to be having dealings that might not appear safe before the eyes of the citizens. Even with the need to be open, the disclosure of too sensitive information that may alter the perspective of security by the public does not quantify the reasons of transparency or even justify its course 6 . Therefore, in such instances, it would be justifiable for the government to withhold certain pieces of data for the sake of public security.
Another reason that affirms why the government should retain transparency at a certain degree is the availability of sensitive information about the leaders and their actions while they are in power or before. Political leaders are bound to have numerous engagements some of which do not birth positive outcomes. In other instances, through scrutiny and research, the government might discover unpleasing information about its leaders, some of which were done in secret. However, when such people are in power and serving the purpose of the public such details would end up tainting their names and disfiguring their credibility and reliability as seen previously by the members of the public .In the case where such information directly relates to citizen matters like embezzlement of funds, then the government can go ahead and give such details to the public 7 . However, in some instances, information regarding leaders might be harmful if released to the members of the public. Therefore, in similar scenarios which should be keenly scrutinized, it is important consider the weight of the effects first.
One of the serious cases that showed the essence of the government withholding sensitive information for the sake of the public was involving the Nunes Memo under the reign of President Trump. The Nunes memos gave a descriptive explanation of hoe surveillance practices had been abused by the FBI while investigation how Russian meddled with elections in 2016. Although, some members of parliament had warned of the dangers of releasing such information to the members of the public, the government pressed by vocal leaders went ahead to release it. As cited by these leaders, the information contained in this Nunes Memos was harmful enough to jeopardize the security of civilians. Such occurrences then affirm the importance of withholding any information that can impact the welfare of citizens in a negative way.
In 2019, in the quest to show that America was highly effective in applying its security measures, President Trump announced that that the ISIS terrorist group had been contained fully. From his explanation, the president was sure in his statement that ISIS would not a threat in the United States. However, 2 weeks after the declaration, the national security advisor to the president stated in an interview that ISIS would forever remain a threat in America in one way or another 8 . Being an advisor to the president, his statements sparkled different views and opinions especially concerning the issue of national security as well as the effectiveness of the government in dealing with the predicament. Generally, the release of this information clearly triggered the development of mixed feelings about the government`s approach in combating terrorism. Having differing opinions on such matters especially coming from the most powerful person and department, might ignite mistrust issues and negative concerns as well as views on the reliability of the government especially on its mandate to deal with such serious issues. Therefore, in such instances, withholding information would be necessary until the government is ultimately sure about such.
In a nutshell, government transparency is fundamental and essential in the sense that ensures good governance as well as accountability of the leaders and the system at large. When the government is open enough for the sake of the rule of law, it becomes easy to foster development and effective leadership skills as the concerns of the public are made central in government engagements. Accountability also means that good governance is experienced in a country. The best decisions and implementation of public policies can only be possible if the members of the public access the legislation and have their say from there. Transparency improves the efficient and the effectiveness of the government especially by allowing credibility to be the lead guide in government operations. However even with the highlighted merits of transparency the government should retain it at a certain degree is the disclosure of certain pieces of information may adversely affect the welfare of the public. It is thus the call and mandate of the government to be transparent but also scrutinize the information to disseminate to its citizens.
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