Politics & Society
Vol. 41, Issue 2, Pages 183-212
June 2013
Abstract
In Infotopia, citizens enjoy a wide range of information
about the organizations upon which they rely for the satisfaction of
their vital interests. The provision of that information is governed by
principles of democratic transparency. Democratic transparency both
extends and critiques current enthusiasms about transparency. It urges
us to conceptualize information politically, as a resource to turn the
behavior of large organizations in socially beneficial ways.
Transparency efforts have targets, and we should think of those targets
as large organizations: public and civic, but especially private and
corporate. Democratic transparency consists of four principles. First,
information about the operations and actions of large organizations
that affect citizens’ interests should be rich, deep, and readily
available to the public. Second, the amount of available information
should be proportionate to the extent to which those organizations
jeopardize citizens’ interests. Third, information should be organized
and provided in ways that are accessible to individuals and groups that
use that information. Finally, the social, political, and economic
structures of society should be organized in ways that allow
individuals and groups to take action based on Infotopia’s public
disclosures.
Citation
Fung, Archon. "Infotopia: Unleashing the Democratic Power of Transparency." Politics & Society 41.2 (June 2013): 183-212.