August 25, 2025
Transparency—whether in work processes, decision-making, or communication—is a
fundamental value in modern society. When upheld as both a principle and a practical tool, transparency strengthens trust and promotes security—particularly from corruption—while also boosting efficiency and fairness. These qualities are essential for any system to function in a way that serves the people it is meant to support.
However, in some systems, transparency is needed not only publicly but within the inner
workings of the institutions themselves. Often, there are internal processes that remain
unknown to the public. Is this a good or bad thing? That’s a complex question with no
one-size-fits-all answer.
This article aims to answer a seemingly simple but deeply important question:
Why is transparency important?
To approach this question meaningfully, we must focus on one of the most influential
structures in society: the public sector. From this perspective, we can better understand the role of transparency as a cornerstone of effective governance. Authorities function efficiently only when they earn the trust of the people. Local self-governing bodies—like municipalities and public service offices—play a crucial role in building this trust and encouraging participatory decision-making. These bodies hold influence over the distribution of power and resources and serve as an essential bridge between citizens and state institutions. They also act as the first point of contact between voters and the representatives they elect.
The professionalism and integrity of authorities, especially at the local and regional levels, along with their ability to act transparently, responsibly, and accountably, are directly linked to providing fair, honest, and innovative public services. Thus, elected representatives must lead by example in ethics, transparency, and participatory governance.
Over time, citizens’ expectations and attitudes toward public administration evolve—such is the pace of life. We are witnessing a steady rise in public distrust toward government institutions and their representatives. This makes it critical to establish and enforce behavioral standards and mechanisms that align with evolving public values. Restoring trust in governance requires targeted efforts to reduce corruption risks and strengthen transparency and accountability mechanisms at all levels. These are the building blocks of fair and inclusive societies.
Taking all this into account, authorities and decision-makers must clearly embrace
transparency and accountability as non-negotiable values in their work.
In summary, transparency and civic participation are central tools for advancing effective
governance. They help create a society where decisions made in the name of citizens are
both understood and appreciated. When citizens are involved, their needs and voices are
heard and reflected in the outcomes. Public accountability ensures that officials are held
responsible for the decisions they make on behalf of society.
So then—why does transparent work matter?
Conclusion
A few years ago, I attended a workshop led by economists and financial experts from
Sweden. While discussing financial literacy, they also spoke about the Swedish tax system. One speaker said something that stayed with me:
“Yes, our taxes are high—but we know where they go, what they fund, how much is spent, and we are empowered to ask for more where it’s needed.”
That’s the charm of transparency—it may not lower taxes, but it certainly raises
expectations.
It doesn’t solve every problem, but it helps us understand them better.
It may not be glamorous, but it builds trust brick by brick.
And let’s be honest—it’s way easier to sleep at night when we know where the money went.
References
Handbook on Transparency and Citizen Participation – Transparency.am
Author : Nvard Botsinyan