| Description |
FOI laws are a crucial step toward the solution of the accountability deficit. Nevertheless, the cure has not received the same attention as the sickness. There are only a couple of comparative surveys in print, as well as a great number of case studies and activist accounts on the Internet that speak to the issue of freedom of information. There is a pressing need to systematically study the existing information and collect fresh data using a more self-conscious social science perspective.
This Article is a first step towards this end. It brings together the existing information on the topic of FOI laws and sets an agenda for future research and policymaking. The first Section discusses the theory and practical impact of FOI laws in particular and transparency in general. It discusses the sources of these laws, their relationship to laws that regulate freedom of expression and citizen participation in government, and their impact on political, economic, and bureaucratic performance. The second Section then reviews existing FOI laws. It identifies common elements as well as differences in their content and origins. The third Section outlines the pending challenges in the design and implementation of FOI legislation and suggests possible areas for future research. (Description from Source) |