Difference between revisions of "Transparency as Precondition for Reforming Subsidies"

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'''Transparency as a foundation for reform'''
  
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<br>
  
Transparency as a foundation for reform
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Transparency can influence reform in at least four ways (Hale, 2008):
  
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1. by institutionalizing public discourse: the act of disclosure starts a dialogue between the discloser and
  
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interested parties;
  
Transparency can influence reform in at least four ways (Hale, 2008):
+
2. by compelling actors to tell the truth, making it difficult for discourse to be manipulated by one “loud,”
  
1. by institutionalizing public discourse: the act of disclosure starts a dialogue between the discloser and
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deceitful actor;
  
interested parties;
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3. by cutting through the flood of information and often contradictory claims to focus attention on facts;  
  
2. by compelling actors to tell the truth, making it difficult for discourse to be manipulated by one “loud,”
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and
  
deceitful actor;
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4. by promoting self-reflection within the organization or government, compelling actors to comply with
  
3. by cutting through the flood of information and often contradictory claims to focus attention on facts;
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their own standards and norms.  
  
and
 
  
4. by promoting self-reflection within the organization or government, compelling actors to comply with
 
  
their own standards and norms.
+
In considering the extent to which improving transparency could assist reform, the key consideration appears
  
In considering the extent to which improving transparency could assist reform, the key consideration appears
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to be one of ensuring its relevance. For transparency to be useful, information users and providers must desire
  
to be one of ensuring its relevance. For transparency to be useful, information users and providers must desire
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disclosure of the information and see how such transparency can help meet their objectives.
  
disclosure of the information and see how such transparency can help meet their objectives.
+
Improved information about fossil-fuel subsidies, in particular, can help governments meet their reform
  
Improved information about fossil-fuel subsidies, in particular, can help governments meet their reform
+
objectives. At the simplest level, information about the subsidy and its effects facilitates an assessment of its
  
objectives. At the simplest level, information about the subsidy and its effects facilitates an assessment of its
+
costs and benefits and, therefore, of the implications of reform. Making this information publicly available
  
costs and benefits and, therefore, of the implications of reform. Making this information publicly available
+
increases awareness of the effects of existing policies and allows public input to decision-making (Wolfe and
  
increases awareness of the effects of existing policies and allows public input to decision-making (Wolfe and
+
Helmer, 2007).
  
Helmer, 2007).
+
Many governments understand the economic, social and environmental problems created by subsidies, but
  
Many governments understand the economic, social and environmental problems created by subsidies, but
+
are under political pressure to maintain them. Transparency can expose those winners and losers created by  
  
are under political pressure to maintain them. Transparency can expose those winners and losers created by
+
subsidies and therefore help to broaden support for reform (Victor, 2009).  
  
subsidies and therefore help to broaden support for reform (Victor, 2009).
+
<br>
  
 +
<br>
  
 +
<br>
  
 +
<br>
  
 
+
<font face="TradeGothic" size="2"><font face="TradeGothic" size="2">&nbsp;</font></font>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
can lead to pressure from other industries seeking to level the playing field between competing sectors.
 
  
 
[[Category:Financing, promotion schemes and subsidies]]
 
[[Category:Financing, promotion schemes and subsidies]]

Revision as of 14:10, 22 April 2010

Transparency as a foundation for reform


Transparency can influence reform in at least four ways (Hale, 2008):

1. by institutionalizing public discourse: the act of disclosure starts a dialogue between the discloser and

interested parties;

2. by compelling actors to tell the truth, making it difficult for discourse to be manipulated by one “loud,”

deceitful actor;

3. by cutting through the flood of information and often contradictory claims to focus attention on facts;

and

4. by promoting self-reflection within the organization or government, compelling actors to comply with

their own standards and norms.


In considering the extent to which improving transparency could assist reform, the key consideration appears

to be one of ensuring its relevance. For transparency to be useful, information users and providers must desire

disclosure of the information and see how such transparency can help meet their objectives.

Improved information about fossil-fuel subsidies, in particular, can help governments meet their reform

objectives. At the simplest level, information about the subsidy and its effects facilitates an assessment of its

costs and benefits and, therefore, of the implications of reform. Making this information publicly available

increases awareness of the effects of existing policies and allows public input to decision-making (Wolfe and

Helmer, 2007).

Many governments understand the economic, social and environmental problems created by subsidies, but

are under political pressure to maintain them. Transparency can expose those winners and losers created by

subsidies and therefore help to broaden support for reform (Victor, 2009).