Miksi läpinäkyvyyden ihanne globalisoituu?
Avainsanat:
läpinäkyvyys, julkisuus, valta, demokratia, globaali hallintaAbstrakti
Kaarlo Tuorin juhlaseminaari 23.10.2019
Why is the ideal of transparency becoming global?
The article discusses critically the theoretical assumptions which have enabled transparency to become a global norm. First, the theme is approach conceptually, from the perspectives of the metaphor of transparency, so-called icono-ambivalence, and the performativity of transparency. The author argues that, unlike what transparency promises, it is in fact characterised by a covert mechanism, which in the article is called the truth-legitimacy trade-off. Second, the unequal power relationship is explored as the circumstance which enables transparency to induce State legitimacy or legitimacy more generally. The author argues that the legitimating effect of transparency functions through two rationalities in the State: democratic and administrative rationality. Third, the ways in which these rationalities translate into law are discussed. Examples are drawn from the Finnish legal order. Fourth, the author asks what happens to the ideal of transparency when its habitat is global governance: Is democratic rationality possible under these circumstances? Fifth and finally, the author presents some conclusions, arguing that globalisation and digitalisation in particular will cast doubt on the legitimating effect of transparency.
