Edward Tsang 2009.09.19
The West are willing to go to wars to (allegedly) establish democracy. Democracy without transparency does not provide much protection to social justice.
Getting round democracy
Democracy alone is not sufficient to safegard human right and social justice. Without transparency, all the government have to do to pass new laws is to appoint the right people on the right committees. Powerful foreign countries can often help leaders that they favour get elected.Democracy may not be present
Many commercial setups are not run by democracy. Neither do most government setups. Details of the operations are not monitored. Power tends to corrupt. Managers may hold back if operations are transparent. Transparency protects us in the absence of democracy.Secrecy breeds corruption
Bernie Madoff's US$65 Billion swindle was not possible without secrecy. UK MPs' questionable expense claims was only possible through secrecy. Discrimination, injustice and human rights abuse may stop when they become public knowledge. Tortures in Abu Ghraib was a good example. The society would be a better place if more things are open for audits, even if they are not audited by the public.Reduce secrecy
The most effective way to monitor the management is through transparency. I accept that secrecy sometimes protects people, institutes and contries. Completely transparency is probably inappropriate in places. As secrecy breeds corruption, any practice of secrecy should be justified.Transparency is no guarantee for social justice
... but it helps.[End]
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