Government Transparency in Sweden and the United States : Evading Accountability Through Modern Technology
Abstract: During the last decade, a number of U.S. government officials have been using modern technology, such as personal email accounts and computers, to evade certain transparency legislation. Similar tendencies of strategic evasiveness can also be identified in Sweden. By comparing U.S. and Swedish history, legislation, and specific modern examples, I reach the conclusion that with regards to governmental accountability, modern technology presents both positive and negative aspects. While modern technology gives government officials a way of preventing sensitive or embarrassing information to be released, or otherwise further a hidden political agenda, it also provides private organizations and individuals with various ways of keeping government accountable. In order to minimize the negative effects, issues such as incentive structures, technological boundaries, court review, and the general scope of government need to be considered.
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