Author of machiavelli.net, proud father of three, interested in shaping network society. Welcome to my blog.Transparency in Network Society: ¡Que Fashion!
The text reflects the discussion in a workshop called “Transparency in Network Society.†It was co-organized by the National Security Archive, EGAP-Tec de Monterrey, the Catedra Software AG, and the Nuevo Leon Transparency Commission. The idea for this seminar was born in a discussion Emilene Martinez from the National Security Archive and I had over a year ago.
Introduction
Why is the concept of transparency so fashionable today (and not 20, 200, or 2000 years ago)? Is it really democratization that is driving this trend or are there other conceptual transformations that lead us to put such an emphasis on the concept? If technology is part of why our world is transforming today, what is the relationship between technology and transparency and how do they interact as they transform our societies? Does this matter to Mexico or should we concentrate on implementing the most basic foundations of transparency?
This text will argue that as we are moving to network society as the mainstream legitimation of governance structures, the role of transparency to ensure accountability of network decision making is increasing. The topic is of utmost importance to Mexico, because even though in many parts the most fundamental principles for a functioning accountability system have not yet been implemented, network society does not wait for us to catch up.
What is network society and why should we take it seriously as a concept guiding social life?
Manuel Castells introduced the term network society to describe a society built around information technologies, time–space compression, post-Fordism, and the advance of finance capital. This society is characterized by networking, globalization, and the flexibility, individuality, and instability of work. Peters and Pierre argue that the dominant feature of the governance model is the argument that networks have come to dominate public policy (Peters and Pierre 1998). Thus, a fundamental change in how we conceptualize and govern social life is taking place. There are several important questions that need to be asked when confronted with such radical transformation in how we think about and participate in social life.
What is transparency? What is its background and possible role in network society?
Transparency is now seen as an essential condition for those participating in any social system, it secures that the rules of the game are fully understood by all participants. Generally, it ensures that the reasons behind the decisions made and any applicable regulations are clear to all, so that all are treated fairly. Normally, the concept is linked to a fully functional democracy; however, if we closely read the literature on democracy, it becomes clear that it is a concept that was introduced very late to the debate.
The first metaphorical or abstract use of transparency in a human context is found in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream almost 2000 years after the start of democratic theorizing: Transparent Helena, nature shewes art, That through thy bosome makes me see thy heart. And it took another 400 years until the concept was used to describe a fundamental principle of how social and political life should be structured. In the new network society, however, it becomes essential: a member might want to understand how a specific decision was reached to assure that the principle of consensus was not violated and why a specific standard was set in the way that it was. That is where transparency (and its little sister documentation) comes in, and explains why it has become so very fashionable in the last few years.
So what does this mean for Mexico?
Anybody concerned with the issue of transparency knows that there is only a limited amount of resources this country can spend on the issue. Anyone concerned with the issue needs to balance the work of building accountability systems and constructing a supportive culture inside the government and in civil society. Therefore, linking the concept to democratization and focusing on a basic level of responsibility and accountability in municipal, state, and federal government seems the most prudent thing to do. However, if we forget the network society roots of the concept and do not focus on building the accountability systems of tomorrow, we will never be able to bridge the digital divide.
Dr. Philipp Mueller (EGAP – Tec de Monterrey) philipp@itesm.mx
Very interesting. Though I still think we are very attached to the link democracy-transparency.
As you said, it will be very hard for us to get out of that assumption. Anyway, if we see democracy as we understand it today (not 1000 years ago democracy or 100 years ago) there is no clear way to understand it without the possibility of the population to participate in the decision making process; our tools to participate are accountability and transparency.
Democracy over the years have been attached to many other values that on time are difficult to separate from the original value. One example is the value of welfare state which for years was understood as part of the democracy and the egalitarian belief.
This is the same that is happening with transparency. Now is understood as an accesory to democracy.
Come visit my blog some time.
http://lasillaquevuela.blogspot.com
Saludos!
Very interesting. Though I still think we are very attached to the link democracy-transparency. As you said, it will be very hard for us to get out of that assumption. Anyway, if we see democracy as we understand it today (not 1000 years ago democracy or 100 years ago) there is no clear way to understand it without the possibility of the population to participate in the decision making process; our tools to participate are accountability and transparency. Democracy over the years have been attached to many other values that on time are difficult to separate from the original value. One example is the value of welfare state which for years was understood as part of the democracy and the egalitarian belief. This is the same that is happening with transparency. Now is understood as an accesory to democracy. Come visit my blog some time. http://lasillaquevuela.blogspot.comSaludos!