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Transparency has become a global concept of responsible government. This book argues that the transnational discourse of transparency promotes potentially contradictory policy ideas that can lead to unintended consequences. It critically examines whether or not increased transparency really leads to increased democratic accountability.

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PART I: BACKGROUND AND THEORY Introduction Paradoxes and Unintended Consequences of Transparency PART II: TRANSPARENCY AND CENTRAL STEERING Transparency and Ideational Changes: Nordic Openness as a Policy Discourse Transparency and Institutions of Public Accountability PART III: ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS NPM, Budget Transparency and Census Information New Domains of Openness and Transparency: Performing Foreign Affairs PART IV Conclusions Bibliography

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In this analytically powerful study, Tero Erkkilä deftly traces the rise of calls for government transparency and information flows in the Nordic countries. His compelling explanations offer novel insights into the nexus of knowledge and governance. Most highly recommended.

James H. Mittelman, University Professor of International Affairs, American University

´This important book is compulsory reading for anyone interested in issues of trust and accountability in public administration, or simply concerned about the future of democracy.´N

Niilo Kauppi, Research Professor, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS, France)

Public management and performance management reform have had a deep impact on public administration. One of the ironies of such reform, as Tero Erkkilä shows in this intriguing study, is that it jeopardizes access to public documents and government transparency. Erkkilä argues that Finland has experienced a shift from a welfare state to a competitive state and that this development has included a commodification of publically held information and access to such information. The strength of his study is the combination of detailed analysis without losing sight of the big questions.

Jon Pierre, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenberg

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TERO ERKKILÄ is Lecturer in Political Science at the Department of Political and Economic Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland.

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