Transparency is the New Opacity: Constructing Financial Regulation after the Crisis

American University Business Law Review, Vol. 1, p. 7, 2011

University of Miami Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2012-06

29 Pages Posted: 1 Mar 2012

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: November 12, 2011

Abstract

Many of the main actors constructing financial regulation in the wake of the global financial crisis era have a stated commitment to transparency. However, transparency in financial regulation is undermined because the information disclosed is simultaneously limited and excessive. On one hand, the communications are limited: Transnational standard-setters publish their documents in a small number of languages (or only in English). Some institutions publish the full text of responses to consultations whereas others collate and condense responses (sometimes in ways that the responders regard as inaccurate). The characteristics of the bodies which respond to consultations, and their relationships with those whose interests they claim to represent may be visible or hidden. On the other hand, the communications are overwhelming. Even partial transparency is of limited usefulness to observers of financial regulation because it is characterized by multiple complexities: financial transactions and the rules which apply to them are complex. Responsibility for financial regulation is shared among public and private bodies, and among transnational, national and sub-national entities. As a result, proposals for new rules and standards multiply among these different entities, creating an information glut. The inadequacy of transparency mechanisms can be remedied, for example by translating proposals into more languages, or by providing and requiring improved disclosure of responses and responders. But the opacity which results from complexity is much more difficult to remedy and more fundamental. If this problem cannot be solved, transparency alone cannot be relied on to legitimate the new financial order.

Suggested Citation

Bradley, Caroline M., Transparency is the New Opacity: Constructing Financial Regulation after the Crisis (November 12, 2011). American University Business Law Review, Vol. 1, p. 7, 2011, University of Miami Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2012-06, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2013178

Caroline M. Bradley (Contact Author)

University of Miami - School of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 248087
Coral Gables, FL 33146
United States
305-284-2082 (Phone)
305-284-6506 (Fax)

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
129
Abstract Views
1,085
Rank
353,074
PlumX Metrics