Transparency

Medieval Latin transparere — to show through. From trans- (through) + parere (to appear, be visible). The political meaning — openness of government to public scrutiny — developed alongside democratic theory in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Invoked constantly as a democratic value. In practice, every government, corporation, and institution claims to value transparency while exercising discretion about what is disclosed. Freedom of Information laws create legal mechanisms for transparency; exemptions to those laws define its limits. 'Transparency' has also been weaponized — requiring individuals to disclose private information under the banner of public interest. The word is most useful when it is specific: transparent about what, to whom, enforced how.