01750cas a2200241 a 4500 AALejournalIMF013954 230101c9999 xx r poo 0 0eng d 5.00 USD 9781475570946 1018-5941 BD-DhAAL BD-DhAAL Irwin, Timothy. Shining a Light on the Mysteries of State : The Origins of Fiscal Transparency in Western Europe / Timothy Irwin. Washington, D.C. : International Monetary Fund, 2013. 1 online resource (43 pages) IMF Working Papers <strong>Off-Campus Access:</strong> No User ID or Password Required <strong>On-Campus Access:</strong> No User ID or Password Required Electronic access restricted to authorized BRAC University faculty, staff and students The extent of fiscal transparency in Western Europe has varied over the centuries. Although ancient Greek, Roman, and medieval governments were sometimes open about their finances, the absolute monarchies of the 1600s and 1700s shrouded them in mystery. Factors that have encouraged transparency include (i) the sharing of political power and rulers' need to persuade creditors to lend and taxpayers' representatives to approve new taxes; (ii) the spread of technological innovations that reduce the costs of storing and transmitting information; and (iii) the acceptance of political theories that emphasize accountable government and public discussion of government policy. Mode of access: Internet IMF Working Papers; Working Paper ; No. 2013/219 Full text available on IMF http://elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/001/2013/219/001.2013.issue-219-en.xml IMF e-Library