Open Government Information Research

The definition of "government information publicity" is that the executive branch of the government and the organizations authorized or devolved by laws, statutes and regulations disclose the information they make, get or have during administration or service delivery to the public or specific stakeholders. The publicity could be voluntary or by application. Nowadays, to establish and perfect government information publicity system in China is very important for protection of the right to know, democracy, fighting against corruption, establishment of service-oriented government, and economic and social development The development of government information publicity in China is just at its beginning stage. Although many local governments have got some progress in this field in recent years, there are still many problems. It is necessary to make more exploration on this topic.This thesis is divided into five parts. Part one serves as a general introduction of government information publicity system. It provides some different definitions on government information and government information publicity, and gives the author's view. Then discusses the theoretical base of the system—popular sovereignty, and the right base of the system—right to know.Part two covers the history of government information publicity, presenting the background of the system's arising, some other countries' legislation about the system, and the three developing phases of the system in China. It points out that the origin of government information publicity system had close relation to the development of market economy, and the progress of administrative law also influenced the establishment and development of the system. This chapter also analyses why government information publicity has become a global wave since 1980s.Part three analyzes the necessity of perfecting China's government information publicity system, arguing that it is the demand of extending well-ordered public political participation, fighting against corruption, fulfilling of WTO principle of transparency, maintaining society stability, reforming administrative system, and developing economy.Part four is empirical analysis of China's government information publicity system,...