Effect of Government Transparency on Public Trust in Institutions in Rwanda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/ajppa.1851Keywords:
Government, Transparency, Public Trust, InstitutionsAbstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of government transparency on public trust in institutions in Rwanda.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: Numerous studies have examined the effect of government transparency on public trust in institutions, revealing a complex relationship shaped by various factors. Overall, greater transparency tends to correlate positively with higher levels of public trust, as it fosters accountability, enhances the perception of fairness, and reduces opportunities for corruption. Transparency initiatives such as open data policies, freedom of information laws, and disclosure of government activities contribute to this effect by empowering citizens to hold their leaders accountable and participate in decision-making processes. However, the impact of transparency on trust is not universally consistent, as cultural, institutional, and contextual factors can moderate its effects. Moreover, the quality and accessibility of information are crucial; mere disclosure of data may not suffice if it is overly technical or inaccessible to the general public. Additionally, transparency alone may not be sufficient to rebuild trust in institutions that have already experienced significant erosion due to past misconduct or systemic failures.
Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social capital theory, institutional theory and principal-agent theory may be use to anchor future studies on assessing the effect of government transparency on public trust in institutions in Rwanda. Develop clear and accessible communication strategies to effectively disseminate information about transparency initiatives to the public. Strengthen regulatory frameworks to mandate and incentivize transparency practices across governmental institutions
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