Public participation and transparency: Does open governance promote inclusion and accountability?

Abstract

Openness has become a standard in public service delivery and open governance. The Open Government Partnership (OGP) focuses on dimensions of transparency, accountability, and efficiency. This study evaluates the inherent dimensions of transparency and public participation by assessing the OGP open data on policy commitments in the areas of fiscal openness, public service delivery, and inclusion from the perspective of transparency-based policy framework. The study offers a longitudinal-comparative approach, qualitatively analysing the role of transparency and public participation within the number of commitments, the level of completion, and the performance reported in each action plan submitted to the OGP. The analysis centres on five cases, highlighting different stages and engagement levels regarding OGP policies. The findings highlight underlying tendencies in multi-level governance models, emphasising governments’ goals and (self-)reporting biases. The study offers a critical perspective for potential lines of action to improve inclusion and accountability within an open governance paradigm.