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Abstract
Introduction. This article aims to determine the most influential factors in the degree of transparency of Spanish municipalities, according to the Municipal Transparency Index (ITA). In particular, the study focuses on the detailed analysis of four possible factors of influence: political party, number of inhabitants, geographical location, and level of per capita income of the municipality. The conclusion is that, at the moment, and given the evolution of this Index, none of the previous factors constitutes a determinant in the degree of transparency. In order to carry out a more extensive and precise analysis it would be necessary to expand the methodological procedures followed by the Municipal Transparency Index (ITA) and include new factors of study. Methods. The study is based on literature review, in-depth interviews with a panel of experts and the study of the factors that influence the most the degree of municipal transparency. Results and conclusions. The progress experienced in municipal transparency is significant but it would be advisable to also evaluate and improve the procedures used to calculate the Municipal Transparency Index (ITA).
Keywords
Transparency, municipal transparency, transparency portals, good corporate governance, accountability.
Contents
1.Introduction and state of the art review. 2. Objectives. 3. Methods. 4. Tools in the service of transparency. 5. ITA 2017 results. 5.1. Political party. 5.2. Number of inhabitants. 5.3. Level of income per capita. 5.4. Geographical location. 6. Conclusions. 7. Notes. 8. References.
Translation by CA Martínez-Arcos
(Universidad de Tamaulipas)
1. Introduction and state of the art review
Transparency is an effective tool that can transform public management and enables citizens to check the performance benchmarks and interests of public authorities, particularly the local administrations, which in turn strengths the political debate and democracy (Conejero Paz, 2014). Understood as the unifying principle of any state, public transparency brings institutions closer to citizens and allows the latter to trust the political decision-making centres. In addition, it can be an essential tool to combat corruption and improve the quality of our democracies, which are marked by a culture of public secrecy (Álvarez, 2007:6).
Transparency can be defined, therefore, as the duty of all public authorities to account for their actions and reasonably explain their performance (Arenillas and Redondo, 2011:360). However, it is also clear that transparency...