Nível de transparência dos municípios do estado do Espírito Santo: análise sob uma perspectiva multidimensional

Abstract

This study starts from the understanding that public transparency is essential for promoting democracy and ensuring access to information for the population, as well as enhancing governance, preventing corruption, ensuring the legitimacy of government actions, and improving efficiency. In this regard, the general objective of the research is to provide a comprehensive framework of transparency in the municipalities of the state of Espírito Santo, comparing them through a multidimensional analysis based on the analytical perspectives of Zuccolotto et al. (2015) and the analytical dimensions of the Transparency and Public Governance Index (ITGP) of Transparency International Brazil (TI-Brazil). The theoretical foundation of this research addresses the conceptual links between transparency and democracy, highlighting how transparency can strengthen democratic principles by ensuring accountability, citizen participation, and trust in institutions. Additionally, classifications, perspectives, and dimensions of transparency are discussed, considering different theoretical and conceptual approaches that seek to categorize and understand transparency in its various forms, from informational transparency to procedural and institutional transparency. An overview of public transparency in Brazil is also presented, indicating the advances and challenges faced by the country in this field. The methodology adopted in this study is innovative, combining different analytical perspectives of transparency, such as accounting, budgetary, institutional, and media, among others. Furthermore, a mixed methods approach is utilized, involving cluster analysis and semi-structured interviews. Cluster analysis is employed to group municipalities with similar transparency characteristics, while semistructured interviews are conducted with professionals working in the Municipal Comptroller's Office or equivalent body to obtain insights into public transparency. The main results of this research reveal the existence of six distinct groups of municipalities in Espírito Santo, each with different levels and characteristics of transparency. The results also highlight the influence of the political context on the promotion of transparency. In turn, the interviews revealed that municipalities have been making efforts to provide information to citizens, mainly through official websites, but gaps in the effectiveness of these measures were identified, particularly related to the lack of systematic monitoring and evaluation. The participation of citizens in the governance process was also addressed, highlighting the need for greater engagement of civil society. The conclusions of this study emphasize the importance of future research to deepen the understanding of transparency in the municipalities of Espírito Santo and develop more effective policies and strategies to strengthen transparency and governance at the municipal level. It is recommended that public authorities and municipal managers use the results of this research as a basis for identifying areas for improvement and adopting specific measures to enhance transparency in their respective municipalities, such as implementing e-government policies, reinforcing compliance with transparency regulations, and investing in capacity building and professionalization of management.