Abstract
This paper draws on a study of the monitoring of the UK Parliament to explore how data across various tools can and cannot be used to open up Parliament. Since 2005 Westminster has opened up through Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations such as mySociety as well as formal tools such as FOI and Register of Interests. Together they create a self-reinforcing web of pressures on MPs and Peers. This paper argues that the presence of data has three main effects. It enables certain activities, creating emphasis on votes, attendance but neglects other areas, such as constituency work. Data is self expansive and breaks down the ‘frontstage’ and ‘backstage’ of what MPs and Peers do. Finally, data become a source of conflict over access to data and meaning. Taken together this means the data creates an illusion of objectivity and comparability that conceals inequalities and bias (Mau 2019). However, it also creates artificial emphasis in certain activities while throwing others into darkness and becomes a new point of conflict (Strathern 1999).
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 13 Apr 2022 |
Event | 72nd Political Studies Association Annual International Conference - York, United Kingdom Duration: 11 Apr 2022 → 13 Apr 2022 |
Conference
Conference | 72nd Political Studies Association Annual International Conference |
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Abbreviated title | PSA22 |
Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
City | York |
Period | 11/04/22 → 13/04/22 |
Keywords
- monitory democracy
- parliament