Administrative Transparency and Open Government as Pillars of Democratic Legitimacy

Abstract Book of the 8th International Conference on Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

Year: 2026

[PDF]

Administrative Transparency and Open Government as Pillars of Democratic Legitimacy

Nouha Atamena

ABSTRACT:

This paper examines administrative transparency and open government as fundamental pillars for strengthening democratic legitimacy within contemporary public administration systems. Democratic legitimacy today depends not only on electoral processes but also on transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. Using a legal-analytical and comparative methodology, the study explores international governance standards and administrative law principles, with specific reference to the Algerian legal framework. The paper analyzes the conceptual foundations of transparency, evaluates its recognition in United Nations instruments, and assesses national implementation mechanisms. The findings indicate that although Algeria has made significant constitutional and legislative progress, practical challenges such as administrative complexity, limited access to public information, and insufficient digitalization remain. The study concludes that reinforcing transparency and open government practices is essential for enhancing democratic legitimacy, improving public administration performance, and strengthening public trust

Keywords: Administrative Law; Democratic Legitimacy; Open Government; Public Administration; Transparency