European Government Transparency beyond the Slogans: Introduction

In this chapter, we introduce the book in its entirety and its overarching themes. We argue that transparency is more problematic a concept than is commonly believed, and this has led to many theoretical conundrums and practical complications. These are examined on the pages of the book from many different perspectives. First, we introduce the research project, which has inspired to write this book. Second, we briefly look at the intellectual origins of transparency as an ideal and its connection to law. Third, we describe the currently most important legal instrument of transparency in the EU (Regulation 1049/2001), to which many contributors of this book refer. Fourth, we shed light on what it means to be critical in transparency research and argue that no one correct way exists. Fifth, and finally, we introduce the individual parts – the methodological questions (how to study transparency?), critical theories (how does transparency govern visibilities?), and empirical studies (how does law on transparency work in action?) – and the chapters of the book. The chapters show how transparency remains relevant in the European government, regardless of its problems.