Las causas de la opacidad en los gobiernos municipales en México

César Rentería Marín

doi:10.51915/ret.400

Authors

César Rentería Marín Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE). México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51915/ret.400

Keywords:

administrative opacity, quality of information, accountability, corruption

Abstract

Whether transparency policies are an effective tool to combat corruption remains a matter of debate. Some scholars have argued that making information available is not sufficient for effective transparency. Its effectiveness is moderated, among other factors, by how public officials generate and store information. Based on a qualitative study, this article describes how certain practices that produce opacity emerge, ultimately diminishing the value of information within Mexican municipal governments. First, the concept of opacity is discussed, along with its implications for accountability and anti-corruption efforts. The article then outlines the causes of opacity in municipal governments, specifically describing four types of tactics used by public officials to create opacity and three institutional conditions that enable it. Finally, the article presents several considerations for addressing and reducing opacity.

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