Openness and Freedom of Information in Scandinavia

What is it about?

The ‘open society’ has become a symbol of liberal democracy and the market system in a globalized world. Openness stands for individual opportunity and collective reason, for bottom-up empowerment and top-down transparency. It is a cherished value, despite its vagueness and connotation of vulnerability. Scandinavia has profiled itself as a model of openness, citing traditions of freedom of information and inclusive policy making. By following the conceptual origins, European encounters, and variegated calls for openness in the Nordic countries and Austria, this volume unveils the paradoxes that openness promises to resolve, yet by which it remains marred. In particular, the contributions analyse tensions of openness in addressing divergent ends such as democratic deliberation and market transaction, freedom of speech and accurate information, compliant decision making and political and administrative transparency, as well as consensual procedures and toleration of dissent.

Featured Image

Photo by Nikola Johnny Mirkovic on Unsplash

Photo by Nikola Johnny Mirkovic on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Openness stands for bottom-up empowerment and top-down transparency. This volume’s contributions analyse the tensions of openness in addressing ends such as democracy and market, freedom and truth, compliance and transparency, consensus and dissent with a focus on the Nordic countries.

Perspectives