Governance theatre

Real improvements in governance must be distinguished from theatre

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BRUCE Schneier, a leading thinker about technology, coined the term “security theatre” to describe the practice of implementing security measures that provide a feeling of improved security while doing little or nothing to achieve it. Anyone who has been through a mall entrance where security devices exist, people go through dutifully, and beeps are ignored routinely has participated in security theatre.

What is meant by “governance theatre” is the common Sri Lankan practice of enacting Constitutional and legislative measures that provide a feeling of improved governance with little or no effect.

Exhibit 1: Right to Information

After decades of effort, the right to access information, (RTI) was added to the Constitution in 2015 as Article 14A. The RTI Commission was established by Act No. 12 of 2016. It's not without its flaws, which were pointed out through numerous articles published while the drafting committee was doing its work, but it was progress.

The RTI legislation has broad applicability, governing the information retention and disclosure practices not only of all Government departments, statutory bodies and companies where the Government holds a majority, but also private entities that receive Government and foreign funds. With broad applicability across the economy comes the requirement of a competent and well-resourced RTI Commission. The right to information cannot be assured without a regulator with teeth. Without such a regulator, information will not be disclosed and the culture of openness in government established. It is an essential government function that cannot be outsourced.