In “In Praise of Opacity”, Marc DeGirolami analyzes and refutes the assumption that transparency is inherently a good thing. First, he denies the connection between virtue and honesty in a government setting. Next, he outlines the difference between governmental and personal transparency. Finally, he discusses what is truly required of a wise government, and why total transparency is completely unnecessary.
DeGirolami, Marc. "In Praise of Opacity." PrawfsBlawg. May 7, 2010 Friday 11:19 AM EST
1058 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2012/02/09.
1058 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2012/02/09.
This article is the best starting off point for this blog process. If I am to best analyze the controversial topic of governmental transparency, I must first define the subject from both sides of the issue. This article shines a spotlight on how transparency has become synonymous with virtue. And how incorrect it truly is. Transparency of the government may not be in the best interest of the public. I think that it is plausible to think that the public people might become skeptical and critical of the government as a result. It should be noted, though, that it does underestimate the filter of the masses. Perhaps full governmental disclosure will cause the public to become knowledgable about legislature and war news. Perhaps that disclosure will cause the public to withdraw support from the government and descend into chaos. That said, I believe that full transparency will not solve all problems within the government (as it would be increasingly easier to take things out of context), but it could very well reduce the cynical views of the United States government.
