The Perils and Promise of Global Transparency

Kristin M. Lord

Description

While the trend toward greater transparency will bring many benefits, Kristin M. Lord argues that predictions that it will lead inevitably to peace, understanding, and democracy are wrong. The conventional view is of authoritarian governments losing control over information thanks to technology, the media, and international organizations, but there is a darker side, one in which some of the same forces spread hatred, conflict, and lies. In this book, Lord discusses the complex implications of growing transparency, paying particular attention to the circumstances under which transparency's effects are negative. Case studies of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and the government of Singapore's successful control of information are included.

Preface

1. The Complexity of Transparency

2. Transparency and Conflict

3. Transparency and Intergroup Violence

4. Transparency and Conflict Intervention

5. Transparency and Governance

6. Global Implications of Growing Transparency

Notes
Index

Sujets

• International relations

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791481103
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

The Perils and Promise of GLOBAL TRANSPARENCY W H Y T H E I N F O R M AT I O N R EVO LU T I O N M AY N OT L E A D TO S E C U R I T Y, D E M O C R AC Y, O R PE AC E KRISTIN M. LORD

The Perils and Promise of Global Transparency

SUNY series in Global Politics James N. Rosenau, editor

A complete listing of books in this series can be found at the end of this volume.

The Perils and Promise of Global Transparency

Why the Information Revolution May Not Lead to Security, Democracy, or Peace

Kristin M. Lord

_________ _________ 

S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y o f N e w Yo r k P r e s s

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2006 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address State University of New York Press, 194 Washington Avenue, Suite 305, Albany, NY 12210-2384

Cover photo © iStockphoto.com/Vladimir Pomortsev

Production by Diane Ganeles Marketing by Anne M. Valentine

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lord, Kristin M. The perils and promise of global transparency : why the information revolution may not lead to security, democracy, or peace / Kristin M. Lord. p. cm. — (SUNY series in global politics) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN–13: 978–0–7914–6885–2 (hardcover : alk. paper) ISBN–10: 0–7914–6885–2 (hardcover : alk. paper) ISBN–13: 978–0–7914–6886–9 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN–10: 0–7914–6886–0 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Transparency in government. 2. Freedom of information. 3. Information society. 4. World politics—21st century. I. Title. II. Series.

JC598.L67 2006 303.4833—dc22

2005033342

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To Jeff and Max

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Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Notes

Index

Contents

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The Complexity of Transparency

Transparency and Conflict

Transparency and Intergroup Violence

Transparency and Conflict Intervention

Transparency and Governance

Global Implications of Growing Transparency

SUNY Series in Global Politics

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Preface

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owe a great deal of thanks to many people. For commenting on early I drafts of the manuscript—the most painful to read—I thank Robin Brown of the University of Leeds, who also was kind enough to host a helpful seminar with his students. I would also like to thank George Washington University student Lee Ann Fujii for her help on the Rwanda case study (and for taking the time to read the chapter while actuallyinRwanda doing fieldwork); an anonymous journalist from Singapore for help on the Singapore case; Jonathan Frankel for helping me to understand American and foreign free speech laws; Christopher Langton for background information on the Institute for International Studies’ excellent publication,The Military Balance;Loch Johnson, who provided encouragement at a difficult time; former congressperson Steve Solarz, who has devoted much of his career to understanding and resolv- ing conflicts; and Serif Turgut, who herself has reported on some of the world’s most dangerous conflicts and understands all too well the forces that limit media coverage. I owe a special thanks to my mother, Jean DeBarbieri, a professional indexer whose careful handiwork can be seen at the end of this book. I am also indebted to my wonderful colleagues at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. Martha Finnemore, James Lebovic, Henry Farrell, Leon Fuerth, and Joanna Spear all read and commented on various chapters. Their input was invaluable. Thanks also to Jim Goldgeier who generously spent significant time one afternoon to help me rethink the book’s conclusion. Students in the mid- career Master of International Policy and Practice program provided excellent feedback and questions that made me rethink my manuscript at various times. Thanks also to undergraduates in my causes of war course who discussed the manuscript in class. I am also indebted to my colleagues in the Elliott School dean’s office, especially Ed McCord, for their sup- port. I am deeply thankful to my former boss, Harry Harding, from whom I have learned and continue to learn, a tremendous amount. I must offer a special thanks to Bernard Finel, who not only read and commented on parts of this book, but helped spark my interest in transparency to start with, and served as my coauthor on several papers

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