opacity

Intermediate 🏛️ Government / Politics

Definition

The opposite of transparency; when government operations are deliberately obscure or hidden from public view. What politicians actually practice while praising transparency.

Example Usage

The committee conducted its negotiations with complete opacity, despite promising constituents full transparency just weeks earlier.

Origin

From Latin 'opacus' meaning 'shaded' or 'dark'

Fun Fact

Studies show that government opacity actually increases during election years when transparency is most promised.

Source: Government accountability and administrative law

Related Terms

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