The Social Science Library » A Partial Revolution: The Diplomatic Ethos and Transparency in Intergovernmental Organizations

A Partial Revolution: The Diplomatic Ethos and Transparency in Intergovernmental Organizations

Author(s)	Roberst, Alasdair
Abstract	The World Trade Organization and other intergovernmental organizations confront a crisis of legitimacy that is partly rooted in their perceived secretiveness. These organizations have attempted to address this crisis by promising “the maximum possible level of transparency,” but in fact, the improvements have been modest. Policies regarding access to information about intergovernmental organizations’ operations continue to accommodate conventions of diplomatic confidentiality. Such conventions are more likely to be breached in areas where disclosure of information is essential to economic liberalization. A true revolution in transparency would require more rigorous policies on disclosure of information held by intergovernmental organizations such as the World Trade Organization, and could be justified as a prerequisite for the exercise of basic human rights, such as the right to participate fully in the policy-making process.
IssueNo	4
Pages	410-425
Article	Access to Article
Source	Public Administration Review
VolumeNo	64
PubDate	July-August 2004
ISBN_ISSN	0033-3352

A Partial Revolution: The Diplomatic Ethos and Transparency in Intergovernmental Organizations