Decoding open government policy: Recurrent or innovative liberalism?

Abstract

This article examines the implications of open government policies that emerged at a critical juncture for democracies worldwide. Since the launch of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in 2011, the movement has aimed to revitalise democratic governance. However, its theoretical context within the evolution of liberal democracy remains unexplored. Bias in case selection and a lack of empirical evidence have constrained our understanding. This study analyses open government policy documents from 75 OGP national member countries using Natural Language Processing techniques. The findings reveal a collective commitment to more inclusive and participatory governance models, departing from neoliberal priorities through public innovations. This research enriches the dialogue around democratic governance by explaining how the Open Government Movement intersects with the ideals of liberal democracy. It provides valuable theoretical and practical perspectives, enhancing our understanding and application of open government principles.