The progressing Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are the main source for innovation nowadays and are causing a so called 5th economic cycle after the ones that emerged by the industrial revolution (1st cycle), the steam engine and coal (2nd cycle), steel and heavy engineering (3rd cycle) and automobile, oil, petrochemicals and mass production (4th cycle). According to Perez (cf. 2009: 12) the so called “information revolution” has been enabled through cheap microelectronics, computers, software, telecommunications, control instruments, computer-aided biotechnology and new materials. ICTs are long since interweaving all parts of daily life and didn’t stop at administration processes so that a new model of the interaction between the government and the citizens evolved. The new model of communication between the government and the citizens through ICTs is called E-Government and as part of this can Open Government (Data) be seen. Many states worldwide already took actions to put this into practice; especially well-developed countries. In the case of Open Government (Data) various stakeholders are involved like the government, citizens and consumers, media, businesses and NGOs. But as different parties want to take their advantages by Open Government there are different interests how to translate it into practice. This paper will focus on the role of the UK’s government that started to implement Open Government in 2009 by highlighting the impacts caused through Open Government.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Main part
2.1 Theories and Definitions
2.1.1 Terms
2.1.2 Role of the government
2.2 Implementation of Open Government in the UK
2.2.1 Development of Open Government Data in the UK
2.2.2 Comparison within the G7
2.2.2.1 Principle 1: Open by default
2.2.2.2 Principle 2: Quality and Quantity
2.2.2.3 Principle 3: Usable by all
2.2.2.4 Principle 4: Releasing data for improved governance
2.2.2.5 Principle 5: Releasing data for innovation
2.2.3 Impacts
2.2.4 Summary
3 Conclusion
4 References
4.1 Literature
4.2 Graphics
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the role of the UK government in implementing Open Government Data (OGD) since 2009. It investigates whether the UK's practices align with the idealistic goals of transparency and citizen empowerment or if they primarily serve neoliberal economic objectives, analyzing the impacts of these policies on society and public trust.
- The theoretical evolution from E-Government to Open Government.
- The implementation and development of OGD initiatives in the United Kingdom.
- A comparative analysis of OGD progress among G7 nations.
- The neoliberal influence on the marketization of public data.
- Social, economic, and political impacts of Open Government policies.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.1 Development
The form of government in the UK is a parliamentary democracy with an unwritten constitution. The population is just about 63m (state Sept. 2014) (cf. Davies 2014: 8). From 1997 to 2010 the Labour (left-wing) party has been in power and promised economic stability, but couldn’t prevent a 1.5 years lasting recession in the country due to the global financial crisis. This led to the election of a Conservative/ Liberal Democratic (right-wing) coalition in 2010, the first coalition since over 60 years (cf. ibid.). The beginnings of OGD in the UK started in mid-2009, “at the height of a scandal involving parliamentarians’ expenses, and was framed as a commitment to greater transparency and openness (Davies 2014: 9). The new coalition extended the Open Government Data action (cf. ibid.). To build up an Open Government Data portal, the previous mentioned Tim Berners-Lee and Shadbolt, a web scientist, were consulted and the beta interface for data.gov.uk was developed before the portal went online in January 2010 (cf. Bates 2014: 390). To the “Freedom of Information Act”, that had come into force in 2005, was added a “Right to Data” paragraph, that obliges “authorities to, where requested and possible, provide responses to information requests in ‘an electronic form which is capable of re-use’ “(Davies 2014: 9). Also Transparency Boards where established in many departments that force the departments to release datasets (cf. Davies 2014: 9). In 2013 an Open Data Charter Action Plan has been published on the data.gov.uk platform presenting the actual state of the Open Government Data progress and clarifying the future goals.
Chapter Summary
1 Introduction: Provides the context of the information revolution, defines E-Government, and states the research focus on the UK government's role in Open Government.
2 Main part: Explores theoretical definitions, details the UK's OGD implementation, and provides a comparative G7 analysis alongside an assessment of political and economic impacts.
3 Conclusion: Discusses the changing dynamics between government and citizens, emphasizing the potential for academic and media mediation in ensuring transparency.
4 References: Lists the academic literature and figure sources utilized throughout the seminar paper.
Keywords
Open Government, Open Government Data, OGD, UK Government, E-Government, Neoliberalism, Transparency, Public Sector Information, G7, Digital Culture, Policy Implementation, Data Innovation, Stakeholders, Accountability, Information Era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the role of the UK government in implementing Open Government Data and analyzes the political and economic implications of this transition.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include E-Government evolution, the UK's specific OGD development, comparative analysis with G7 nations, and the neoliberal marketization of public data.
What is the central research question?
The research explores whether the UK's approach to Open Government genuinely empowers citizens through transparency or if it is a vehicle for broader neoliberal policies and economic gains.
Which methodology is employed?
The study is based on a comprehensive literature review, incorporating policy documents, academic research, and comparative reports from NGOs like the Sunlight Foundation.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers theoretical definitions, the timeline of UK OGD, a five-principle comparison of G7 states, and an analysis of the economic vs. social impacts.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Essential keywords include Open Government, Neoliberalism, Transparency, Data Innovation, E-Government, and UK Government policy.
How does the author define the "Open Government" philosophy?
It is defined as a model seeking to respond to citizen expectations by acting as a platform, being transparent, and enabling citizen-led projects.
What role do "trading funds" play in the UK's OGD model?
Trading funds are identified as entities that generate significant profit through the commercial re-use of public data, highlighting the market-oriented focus of the UK's initiative.
Why are journalists considered important in this context?
Journalists are viewed as essential mediators who can highlight government actions and ensure that diverse stakeholders, not just economic elites, have a voice.
- Quote paper
- Laura Vaida (Author), 2015, Open Government in the UK, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/294779
