Should governments be allowed to keep secrets from their people?

[0t3p0t]

In a democratic state, the government is for the people so they don't keep secret that will endanger the citizens of the country...
I don't know for other part of the world that practice other systems of government if they do keep such secret that will endanger the citizens from them.
But in my own opinion I will say that the government should always work together hand in hand with their citizens to enhance growth and development.

Most of the time money or interest is what behind the secrecy in a government. Resources in a country is also involved here and especially infrastructure projects that mostly involves government and that is where they build secrets for the good of themselves but militarily it is understandable for us if they hide something not unless it will compromise it's citizens.

[_act_]

Except for those in politics or in government positions, an ordinary man cannot know the plan of what the government have in mind, they have to be secretive to an extent in some certain part, this is not because they wanted to hide somethings from the people, but instead, they are to be in reserve for the people to enjoy their leadership while serving them, but some things as well also needed to be revealed to the people and made openly just because they have to clear the air about controversies and uncertainties to the people.

[Rruchi man]

I personally believe that those in power should not be allowed to keep secrets from the public, especially when it is related to the safety and privacy of the people.

The government are in power to control things, controlling things means not always letting the people who put you in that position worry for things you can control and contain. IMO, the government should keep some secrets for themselves, to avoid creating panic. When citizens begin to panic based on an information that they have heard, it can lead to a lot including unrest.

We as citizens do not need to know everything.

[LogitechMouse]

No government is meant to keep a secret from the people and this is a must, governments of a country must not keep secrets from the public unless the government are not democratic and at the same time if they are autocratic every good government must let the public be aware of any situation at hand and at the some times the government needs the opinion of the masses to be able to sort out some issues.

No government must keep a secret from their people, but they can do it because... they can do it, and they can do it if they want to do it because... they're the authority.

As one of the countrymen and not involved in the government, our power is limited compared to them hence, they can just keep their secrets if they really want to do it, or if it's needed. They're in control of everything, and as much as we want them to be transparent, the fact is they have the power to keep secret to their people or else, it might tarnish their reputation hence, it might affect them when the next election comes. I guess let's just accept the fact that the government can just keep secret if they want to.

[Agbe]

I personally believe that those in power should not be allowed to keep secrets from the public, especially when it is related to the safety and privacy of the people.

I will disagree with you on this that government should not keep certain information that that it deep fit not to be shared with the public all over the world there's what every government call classified information that only top secret official and security agencies are ment to know. The reason is that the public is not fit to manege such information as it can lead to public discomfort is is not good so information that leads to national threat and security challenge's should not be given to the larger public just like that as they are not in good knowledge to take the right decision. Infact the most secrets of government all over the world are the once that manege their countries well because when it comes to information that  government See's as classified it should be treated with caution with top intelligence and not with the public

[electronicash]

I personally believe that those in power should not be allowed to keep secrets from the public, especially when it is related to the safety and privacy of the people.

I will disagree with you on this that government should not keep certain information that that it deep fit not to be shared with the public all over the world there's what every government call classified information that only top secret official and security agencies are ment to know. The reason is that the public is not fit to manege such information as it can lead to public discomfort is is not good so information that leads to national threat and security challenge's should not be given to the larger public just like that as they are not in good knowledge to take the right decision. Infact the most secrets of government all over the world are the once that manege their countries well because when it comes to information that  government See's as classified it should be treated with caution with top intelligence and not with the public

there is a fine line to distinguish when it comes to which information are to be kept and are info to be shared to the public though.

when Julian Assange shared the information from the government, it contains sensitive information that can make the public furious and the countries where they did something bad. it ruined their reputation. i guess it depends on which side you are on to favor which info to share or not. but obviously government will protect themselves or there will be insurgents uprising.

[Gurujebs]

The government are in power to control things, controlling things means not always letting the people who put you in that position worry for things you can control and contain. IMO, the government should keep some secrets for themselves, to avoid creating panic. When citizens begin to panic based on an information that they have heard, it can lead to a lot including unrest.

We as citizens do not need to know everything.

When a country loss something, you will see a lot of citizens want to either protest, be emotionally attached and complain but the government hardly complained and they might not even makes comments on such things but seriously they care but they don't want to be weak, that's what differentiate them between leader and followers.

Somethings are better kept secrets because oppositions are always in lookout for things they will used against the current governments to favour their votes and even use it as a propaganda. Some citizens too don't know how to react to some informations that's why you will see that every government has it own media to give information they want to communicate for that time.

[Hatchy]

I personally believe that those in power should not be allowed to keep secrets from the public, especially when it is related to the safety and privacy of the people. It is by keeping such knowledge a secret that these people can remain in power. By keeping the public keeping the people in the depths of ignorance, powerful governments and people can rob them of their liberties and do as they desire. It is true that a small fraction of things should be kept from the public, but the current state of affairs show that the reverse is true in our day and age. (And to show how vehemently I adhere to what I say have even established a website(intelrepository(dotcom)) where I publish and even sell exclusive information not meant be seen by everyone.

I would like to hear everyone else's thoughts on this as well.

And how would we tell if they are telling us the truth. For all I know, the government are more about the secrets and lies.. all that matters to them is their political apathy they don't really care much about the people who they are supposed to watch after. They seek power and that power only comes when the public knows little or non of their true ambitions during their tenor. Some government actually work hard for the betterment of their country while some just want the best for themselves.

[Chilwell]

I don't think is a good idea for governments to keep secret from his people, because the citizens have the right to know whatever that is going on in our country, most especially when it has to do with their safety or is going to contribute to the development and growth of the country, they should not keep any secrets from the citizens, they should tell them the situation of the country whether it is in good state or bad state, and together we will overcome all the difficulties and take the country to the next level, peoples on power are not elected to face the difficulties alone or to make the decisions all alone they need to collide with the citizens to bring development and expansion to the country.

[bitterguy28]

And how would we tell if they are telling us the truth. For all I know, the government are more about the secrets and lies.. all that matters to them is their political apathy they don't really care much about the people who they are supposed to watch after.

this is why transparency is very important this not only maintains the integrity of the government and builds trust with their citizens but it also puts these politicians in check the moment a public official start hiding things especially in the matters of budget and projects they are most likely pickpocketing the money lol

it is a usual occurrence here in my country to be honest and my countrymen are hoping for more transparency from the govt officials

[target]

And how would we tell if they are telling us the truth. For all I know, the government are more about the secrets and lies.. all that matters to them is their political apathy they don't really care much about the people who they are supposed to watch after.

this is why transparency is very important this not only maintains the integrity of the government and builds trust with their citizens but it also puts these politicians in check the moment a public official start hiding things especially in the matters of budget and projects they are most likely pickpocketing the money lol

it is a usual occurrence here in my country to be honest and my countrymen are hoping for more transparency from the govt officials

The secrecy is necessary for them. Just like our parents when we are just kids, they keep stuff that are just for adults but we are aware they are not talking about it on the dinning table.

They can't just declassify everything to the people for some secrets could ruin life or even spark a revolution when revealed to the public. The government always want the people to be obedient.

[_act_]

They can keep away secrets from the people, but not all secrets should be allowed being kept away from the people as well, because there are some dirty secrets which must not be heard on the public hearings, such are things that occurred within those in politics and they may not want other people to be aware of it, because they also know that they were at fault for some negligence and inaction.

[Asiska02]

I don't think is a good idea for governments to keep secret from his people, because the citizens have the right to know whatever that is going on in our country, most especially when it has to do with their safety or is going to contribute to the development and growth of the country, they should not keep any secrets from the citizens, they should tell them the situation of the country whether it is in good state or bad state, and together we will overcome all the difficulties and take the country to the next level, peoples on power are not elected to face the difficulties alone or to make the decisions all alone they need to collide with the citizens to bring development and expansion to the country.

It is okay if secrets are kept away from the citizens, it’s not all secrets that needs to be revealed to the citizens, they’re not entitled to know all. There are some confidential things that needs not to be disclosed by anyone to the public. Some confidentials are better known to the government elected and to those in that position to handle the affair of issues related to that. If government exposes everything, they become very prone to more set backs when trying to achieve something. The government can still operate on an open door policy to carry the citizens along but what is confidential shouldn’t be allowed to get to the hands of the citizens.

[DragonF]

They can keep away secrets from the people, but not all secrets should be allowed being kept away from the people as well, because there are some dirty secrets which must not be heard on the public hearings, such are things that occurred within those in politics and they may not want other people to be aware of it, because they also know that they were at fault for some negligence and inaction.

Some information might not be dirty secrets but some information are classified and so it is not for public consumption. However, information such as the budget and how the government allocates its spending should be made public. This is because the government is a representative of the people, and the people expect the government to be transparent and accountable to them because the government exists for the people, which means that there can be no government without the people. People in all traditions have existed before the establishment of government.