More Power to You? A Case Against Binding Decisions as the Ultimate Access to Information Enforcement Tool

The enforcement of Access to Information laws is crucial to their effectiveness. Information commissioners, who enforce about one quarter of federal policies, are granted powers to help them execute their tasks. Many scholars argue that a commissioner should have the right to issue legally binding o...

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Published in:Administration & society 2019-01, Vol.51 (1), p.34-62
Main Authors: Holsen, Sarah, Pasquier, Martial
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to information
Commissioners
Effectiveness
Enforcement
Information
Intellectuals
Power
Transparency
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description The enforcement of Access to Information laws is crucial to their effectiveness. Information commissioners, who enforce about one quarter of federal policies, are granted powers to help them execute their tasks. Many scholars argue that a commissioner should have the right to issue legally binding orders. However, we found that a commissioner with recommendation power is not necessarily less effective. This article argues that one must consider what binding decision power really means, whether the body uses it, and how the body uses its other powers and fulfills its tasks before declaring that binding decision power is the ultimate enforcement tool.
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source International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS); PAIS Index; Worldwide Political Science Abstracts; Sage Journals Online; Alma/SFX Local Collection
subjects Access to information
Commissioners
Effectiveness
Enforcement
Information
Intellectuals
Power
Transparency
title More Power to You? A Case Against Binding Decisions as the Ultimate Access to Information Enforcement Tool
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